Brooklyn Museum: Arts of the Americas: Life-Death Figure

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Life-Death Figure

The Huaxtecs of the Gulf Coast region of Mexico developed a distinctive tradition of stone-carving that emphasized the human figure, compactly carved in the round with clothing and symbolic motifs represented in low relief. When the Aztecs of Central Mexico conquered them in the mid-fifteenth century, the Huaxtecs assimilated many aspects of Aztec culture into their artistic style, while maintaining elements that continued to be distinctly Huaxtec, such as the representation of conical-shaped headdresses.

This sculpture exemplifies the dualities of life-death and creation-destruction that permeate Huaxtec and Aztec art. On one side, an elegant, life-size male figure wears a conical hat, large ear spools, and skirt, while the other side is dominated by a skeleton (the symbol of death) that he carries on his back. The densely patterned designs on the figure's body, including ears of corn and feline heads (fertility and earth symbols), cover the upper arms, hands, abdomen, and legs and are probably representations of tattooing. The recessed eyes and deep depressions of the ear spools probably held precious stone inlays, while the hollowed-out navel was most likely used for ritual offerings.

Culture: Huastec
Medium: Stone
Place Found: between San Vicente Tancauyalab & Tamuin, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Dates: 900-1250
Dimensions: 62 3/8 x 26 x 11 1/2 in. (158.4 x 66 x 29.2 cm)
Collections: Arts of the Americas
Museum Location: This item is not on view
Accession Number: 37.2897PA
Credit Line: Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund
Image: Overall, 37.2897_view3_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Catalogue Description: Large free-standing figure of a man on a thin rectangular base. Half circle headdress with incised decoration; conical hat fitting down into a broad headband. Face carefully modeled with decoration running from each eye across cheek. Ear plugs have strap-like pendants that hang down over shoulders. Recessed eyes and deep depressions of the ear spools probably held inlays. Below neck is breast ornament. Broad skirt hangs down to knees with incised textile designs. Densely patterned designs covering the upper arms, hands, abdomen and legs include ears of corn and feline heads and most likely represent tattooing. Elbows bent. Right hand on breast with fingers curling around empty socket, in which a banner or staff may have been inserted. The left hand rests against belt. Depression at the navel was probably used for ritual offerings. Other side of piece is a standing skeletal figure wearing a conical hat adorned with feathers. Arms are full flesh. Incised tattoo designs are on arms and legs. The feet end in claws. Belt and skirt have incised decoration. Figure is in good condition with overall signs of surface wear. Label copy: This sculpture exemplifies the dualism permeating Huastec and Aztec art. On one side, a life-size male figure wears a conical hat, large ear spools, and a skirt tied around his waist. Densely patterned designs, including ears of corn and feline heads cover the upper arms, hands, abdomen and legs - most likely representations of tattooing. The recessed eyes and deep depressions of the ear spools probably held inlays. The deep depression in the navel, the symbolic heart of the figure, was probably used for ritual offerings. The fingers of the raised right hand curl around an opening in which a staff or banner would have been inserted. The other side of the sculpture is dominated by a dramatic skeletal figure wearing a conical hat adorned with feathers and having feet that end in claws. The piece has been interpreted either as a cult statue to the god Quetzalcoatl or as a representation of a Huastec ruler.

Collections: Arts of the Americas: Life-Death Figure