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Seated Figure of the Wind God (Ehecatl)

Arts of the Americas

This sculpture depicts the Aztec wind god Ehecatl, bringer of storms and rain. He wears a loincloth and his signature headdress with a central flower motif surrounded by four tassels ending in representations of jade ornaments. The figure’s right hand is clenched in a fist, leaving a hole that may have held a banner or a flag. Such small, intimate sculptures probably adorned sacred shrines and were venerated during festivals associated with the agricultural cycle.
CULTURE Aztec
MEDIUM Stone
DATES ca. 1440-1521
DIMENSIONS 11 7/16 x 7 1/16 x 6 11/16 in. (27.1 x 17.9 x 17 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 48.22.6
CREDIT LINE By exchange
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Volcanic stone figure of a seated man wearing a turban with left hand on knee and right hand shaped in a clenched fist as if to hold an object - perhaps a banner or flag was placed here during a festival. He wears a characteristic loincloth (maxtlatl) but elaborate ear ornaments and headdress suggest that he may represent a deity. The central flower motif of the headdress surrounded by four tassels that end in jade ornaments (chalchihites) is often associated with Ehecatl, the wind god. Small sculptures such as this probably adorned shrines and were venerated during festivals associated with agricultural renewal. Condition good; surface abraded in places.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Aztec. Seated Figure of the Wind God (Ehecatl), ca. 1440-1521. Stone, 11 7/16 x 7 1/16 x 6 11/16 in. (27.1 x 17.9 x 17 cm). Brooklyn Museum, By exchange, 48.22.6. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 48.22.6.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 48.22.6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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