Figure
Date1800-1850
MediumTerracotta
DimensionsObject/Work: 138 x 85 x 75 mm
ClassificationsSculpture
Terms
Object numberC00999
DescriptionAztec terracotta figure of Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the dead and the lord of Mictlan - the lowest layer of the Aztec underworld. Mictlantecuhtli ruled over Mictlan with his wife Mictecacihuatl. He is often portrayed as a skeleton, or as a skull with protruding teeth. Catalogue notes say this is a faked object but detail is lacking. The Cumings and other collectors sometimes bought items purporting to be real but which were in fact tourist souvenirs passed off as ancient art. Henry Syer Cuming put a great deal of effort into uncovering fakes but inevitably some did find their way into the collections.On View
Not on viewCollections
