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This unique piece has slits in its eyes, suggesting it could have been used as a mask, despite its unusual plaque shape. The human face modelled on it has black markings on the cheeks and wears a beflowered headdress and tasselled ear ornaments. An unidentified object (perhaps a bifid serpent tongue) protrudes from the mouth.




Polychrome terracota plaque with molded and apliquéd sculpture of a human face
Mexica (Aztec)
Late Post-Classic (1325-1521 A.D.)
Unknown
Clay with blue, red,white and black pigments
29 x 28.5 cm.
National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico.

Photo © Jorge Pérez de Lara