Pendants
The Mexicas valued the shimmering iridescent white of the pearl oyster shell (Pinctada mazatlanica) from the Pacific coast and fashioned numerous ornaments from this imported material. These tear-drop shaped oyohualli pendants are diagnostic insignia of the Mexica deities Xochipilli, Macuilxochitl, and Tlahuizcalpanteuctli.
Los Mexicas otorgaban mucho valor al brillo del blanco iridiscente de la concha de ostra (Pinctada mazatlanica) de la costa del Pacífico, y elaboraron múltiples ornamentos de este material importado. Estos colgantes oyohualli con forma de lágrima son insignias características de las deidades mexicas Xochipilli, Macuilxochitl y Tlahuizcalpanteuctli.
Los Mexicas otorgaban mucho valor al brillo del blanco iridiscente de la concha de ostra (Pinctada mazatlanica) de la costa del Pacífico, y elaboraron múltiples ornamentos de este material importado. Estos colgantes oyohualli con forma de lágrima son insignias características de las deidades mexicas Xochipilli, Macuilxochitl y Tlahuizcalpanteuctli.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pendants
- Date: 1469–1481 CE
- Geography: Mexico, Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)
- Culture: Mexica
- Medium: Pearl oyster shell (Pinctada mazatlantica)
- Dimensions: H. 3 1/2 × W. 2 × D. 1/8 in. (8.9 × 5.1 × 0.3 cm)
- Classification: Shell-Ornaments
- Credit Line: Museo del Templo Mayor, Secretaría de Cultura-INAH, Mexico City (10-251268, 10-252498)
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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