Pre-Columbian, gulf coast of Veracruz, ca. 100 BCE to 800 CE. A fascinating pottery head, mold-made, with applied details, depicting the Old God, Huehueteotl. The face is grotesque and frightening, and the figure wears a headdress made from an animal's head. The mouth is open in a scary snarl and lines on the cheekbones emphasize the look. This god, also known among the Aztec and various other eastern and central Mexican cultural groups, was the god of fire, one of the earliest ways in which they worshipped the forces of nature. When this figure was intact, he may have been depicted holding a brazier, which is how he was shown at Teotihuacan. Size: 3.25" W x 5.25" H (8.3 cm x 13.3 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970.

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#117541

Head is a fragment from a larger object, with some losses as shown; however, what remains is intact, with clear features.