Chapter 41 American Art (Aztec and Native Americans)

Drawing of the sacred precinct of the Templo Mayor,

Function: Templo Mayor built for worshipping gods. The top of the temple has two separate shrines, one worshipping Tlaloc and the other honoring Huitzilopochtli

Coyolxauqui Stone, from the Templo Mayor precinct. Aztec, 1400s-1500s

Function: Made for the Templo Mayor. The stone was used as a reminder of Coyolxauhqui’s death during ritual sacrifices.

Coatlicue, from the Templo Mayor precinct. Aztec. Andesite stone. 1400-1500

Possibly represents Coatlicue or other female gods in general.

Tlatecuhtli Monolith, From the Templo Mayor Precinct, Aztec. 1500s-1600s. Stone

Captives from battle would be sacrificed to Tlaltecuhtli

Calendar Stone, from the Templo Mayor Precinct, 1400s-1500s, diameter 11ft, 8in

Function: served as a calendar and a yearly reminder of when to make a sacrifice to the gods to prevent the destruction of the world.

Aztec Feathered Headdress 1400s-1500s, feathers, (cotinga + quetzal) and gold.

Made for an Aztec noble/someone of high status

Pentewa, Kachina Figurine, Hopi people, Arizona before 1959

Kachina were spirits representing ancestors or natural elements. These dolls were used to educate Hopi girls about Kachina.

Hosteen Klah, Whirling log ceremony, Dine people, 1900s.

Weaving of a sand painting (a traditional Dine Practice). Elongated figures may represent sky deities. Plants represent the four sacred crops

Maria Montoya Martinez, jar, Navajo, New Mexico, 1900s.

Native American art became more popular with European and American collectors during the 1800s-1900s.

Crooked Beak of Heaven Mask, Kwakiutl. British Columbia, 1800s. Wood, plant fiber, cord, pigment. '

Created for a ritual believed to turn the wearer into the creature depicted on the mask.

Bandolier Bag, Lenape, 1800s, Hide with silk and glass beads.

Inspired by the ammunition bags of the Europeans. Integrated with their culture. The details and color are meant to show power and prestige.

Bill Reid, assisted by Doug Cranmer,
Totem Pole with Killer Whale and Thunderbird,
1900s.

In the Kwakiutl civilization, Killer whales were seen as guardians of the ocean, while Thunderbirds were seen as guardians of the sky.

Painted Elk Hide, attributed to Cotsiogo. Eastern Shosone Wind River reservation. 1900s,

This piece depicts a bison hunt. It was made for European Settlers rather than Native people.