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Collections: Arts of the Americas: Earth Monster (Cipactli)

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Earth Monster (Cipactli)

Culture: Aztec
Medium: Greenstone
Place Found: Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
Dates: 15th century
Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 6 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. (29.2 x 17.1 x 14 cm)
Collections: Arts of the Americas
Museum Location: This item is not on view
Accession Number: 37.399
Credit Line: A. Augustus Healy Fund
Image: Overall, 37.399_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Catalogue Description: An irregular boulder of greenstone. On one end, the carved face of an earth monster (Cipactli) with bared teeth, round goggle eyes on top of its head, feathers, and jade beads is represented. The back and sides are also carved with symbols that include the figure of Xuihcoatl or the Turquoise Serpent.

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Crystal_Callender (10)
- cipactli
- greenstone
- aztec
- mexico
- stone
- rock
- markings
- relic
- monster
- 15th century

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