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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Veracruz Art : Veracruz Terracotta Fragment of a Woman's Head
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Veracruz Terracotta Fragment of a Woman's Head - PF.0360
Origin: Veracruz, Mexico
Circa: 600
AD
to 900
AD
Dimensions:
8.75" (22.2cm) high
Catalogue: V2
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Style: Veracruz
Medium: Terracotta
Location: United States
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| Description |
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The Classic Veracruz cultures were small, tightly-
packed city states, all governed by hereditary
rulers, who sat at the top of highly stratified
social structures. Economically, it was based
upon slash and burn agricultural techniques,
supplemented by exploitation of marine
resources, as well as hunting. The culture was
fuelled by long- distance trade networks that ran
throughout Mesoamerica, as evidenced by the
spread of luxury items and exotic goods. In this
they strongly resemble the Olmecs, who
preceded them and to whom they owed a
considerable cultural and artistic debt. Religion
was based upon the Olmec “earth monster”, as
well as a death god who has been likened to
Mictlantecuhtli, a deity worshipped by their
cultural neighbour, the Aztecs. Like the Aztecs,
they were obsessed with death, sacrifice and the
Mesoamerican ballgame, another cultural
bequest from the Olmecs. There are accounts
stating that the losing team was sacrificed as an
offering to the gods; other chroniclers suggest
that it might have been used as a substitute for
warfare. As a result their iconography is
somewhat sanguineous – with decapitations,
blood-letting and bound prisoners common
themes – surrounded by extensive and
convoluted banded scrolls that can be seen both
on monumental architecture and on mobile art. A
defining characteristic of the Classic Veracruz
culture is the presence of stone ballgame gear:
yokes, hachas, and palmas. Yokes are U-shaped
stones worn about the waist of a ballplayer, while
the hachas and palmas sit upon the yoke. These
were probably worn ceremonially by the victors;
the actual pieces were probably made of wood
and leather. Interestingly, while hachas and yokes
are found throughout the range, the palmas
seem peculiar to what is today northern
Veracruz.
The broad face of this head shows an open
mouth
with full 'flesh' lips, well formed triangular
shaped nose nearly touching the upper lip, and
narrow almond-shaped eyes. Gracefully formed
eyebrows in slight relief join at the ends with the
corners of a covering over the vroad incised
horizontal band of the headdress, which is
vordered top and bottom by rows of appliqued
circles. Around the neck is a heavy doubled
banded necklace, and attached to the right side
is an ornamental rectangular extention with a
minkey head in the center. The individual
portrayed, whether male or frmale, appears to be
someone of high rank, most likely a
priest/priestess. Expressing both dignity and
sensuality, this bust is remarkable for its beauty
and very real human quality
With her eyes half-closed and her mouth half-
open, this haunting round faced woman appears
to be in a religious trance. The meticulous
details of her costume contrast with the smooth
features of her face, an approach typical of
classic Veracruz sculpture. Are her visions
peaceful or dark? Her features betray no clue--
she is beyond the reach of the world.
- (PF.0360)
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