The artwork titled “Crested figure (Macuilxochitl),” attributed to Aztec Art, dates from circa 1450 to 1521 and was crafted in stone. This period falls within the post-classic phase of Mesoamerican chronology, which extended roughly from 900 to 1580. The genre of the artwork is a mix of sculpture and mythological painting, although this specific piece is purely sculptural.
The sculpture presented appears to be an ancient relic made of a porous, volcanic stone, common in Aztec sculpture. Its abstract form resembles a stylized figure, possibly representing a deity or mythological being, with a noticeable crest or headdress suggestive of its significance and role within Aztec mythology. The figure is characterized by its vertical, totemic composition, abstract facial features, and open spaces that may have had ceremonial importance. The surface texture is rough, indicating either the erosion over time or the intentional stylistic choice for the sculpture’s finish. This kind of artifact typically reflects the religious and cultural practices of the Aztec civilization, where sculpture played a significant role in expressing mythological and divine concepts.
