About the Object

The Mezcala carved and polished an unknown brown stone to create this Mezcala standing figure. It has typical Mezcala features such as a largely flat head, slight indentations for the eyes, prominent brown slight nose, vertical cuts for ears, and indentation creating the mouth. This work is perhaps most notable for its carved-out arms, which define the figure’s torso while forearms/hands lie across the body. The original celt, or hand axe, blade from which this standing figure was carved has also been cut to the center to create distinct legs.

Additional Information

Some scholars have argued that this type of Mezcala work, originating in what is today the Mexican state of Guerrero, reveals stylistic connections to Teotihuacan objects, most notable in the head and face of the figure. Whatever the case, such stylistic elements are believed to help date this object toward the later phase of the Mezcala tradition and were likely associated with burial rituals.