Forehead Ornament

1486–1502 CE
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
This type of forehead ornament is seen in depictions of the Mexica pulque gods. Pulque is a fermented beverage associated with moon deities and the stars. This ornament was found with a piece of spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) skin at the Templo Mayor.



Estos ornamentos miniatura de oro martillado descubiertos en la base del Templo Mayor tienen características de los dioses del pulque, una bebida fermentada asociada con las deidades de la luna y las estrellas. La utilización del oro no era común en Mesoamérica, y la cantidad de oro encontrada en el Templo Mayor entra en las palmas de una mano.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Forehead Ornament
  • Date: 1486–1502 CE
  • Geography: Mexico, Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)
  • Culture: Mexica
  • Medium: Gold
  • Dimensions: H. 2 1/4 × W. 2 3/8 × D. 1/16 in. (5.7 × 6 × 0.2 cm)
  • Classifications: Metalwork-Ornaments, Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Museo del Templo Mayor, Secretaría de Cultura-INAH, Mexico City (10-650647)
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing