Ceramic Whistle
Artist:
Unknown
Place made:Mexico
General region:North and Central America
Culture: Aztec
Period: Pre-Columbian
Date: ca. A.D. 1325-1521
Medium: Earthenware
Dimensions:
length: 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
width: 2 in. (5.1 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, The Robert K. Winn Collection
Object number: 85.1.467
Provenance: with Robert K. Winn (d. 1979), San Antonio, TX, by 1973; by inheritance to the Steves Foundation (Mrs. Marshall Steves)/San Antonio Folk Art Museum, 1979; by donation to the San Antonio Museum Association, 1985; by transfer to the San Antonio Museum of Art, 1994
Label Text
This small ceramic model of a Mexica temple is unusual because of the round structure at the top of the staircase. Most models show square buildings, but round temples were built in dedication to the wind god, Ehecatl. The small size of the model indicates it was likely a religious icon used in household rituals. The model functioned as a whistle, thus linking it to concept of wind.
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
