The artwork, titled “Lip Plug,” is a piece by the artist “Aztec Art” crafted during the Post-classic period (c. 900-1580) and falls under the genre of jewelry. It was made using the medium of obsidian and is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork is a small and exquisite item distinguished by its simple yet sophisticated form. Carved from a single piece of obsidian, it takes the shape of a circular plug with a flattened, elongated extension on top that appears to fit snugly into the lower lip. The dark, glossy surface of the obsidian stone is polished to a smooth finish, highlighting its natural beauty and the skilled craftsmanship required to create such an intricate item. Given its practical purpose and the cultural significance in Aztec society, this lip plug likely played an essential role in social and ceremonial contexts, symbolizing status or identity.
