Although seated, this warrior remains fierce and
ever vigilant with wide, open eyes. A suit of
armor covers his torso, wrapping around his
neck like a necklace. His shoulders are
decorated with a pattern of bumps in the armor
that protrudes in the back like a tail. The red
paint on his legs signifies his flesh when
compared to the armor. He brandishes a broad
pointed spear and a wide rectangular shield
painted with red triangles once outlined in black.
Yet, the main feature of this sculpture is his large
head, elongated in typical Jalisco style. He wears
a crown woven around his head. His ears and
nose are both adorned with jewelry. All this
detail could very well symbolize his rank and
order like pins and medals do today. Yet this
warrior’s job was not to attack rival civilizations
or to defend his home city; he served a greater
purpose than the terrestrial battles that plague
this world. This warrior was a defender of the
afterlife, buried along the deceased to frighten
away malevolent spirits. Thus, he will guard
tomb for all eternity, protecting the dead from
the unknown evil we all fear. Perhaps this
warrior can protect us in life as well as in death.
- (PF.5536)
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