warrior sculptures

The sculpted bust of a jaguar warrior unearthed in Texcoco inspires artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association in the creation of this sculpture. Ancient Aztecs believed the jaguar to be associated with the god of night, and to become a jaguar one had to capture at least four enemies. Jaguar warriors, or ocelopilli, were used to capture enemies to be sacrificed to the gods. They would wear jaguar fur and claws for they believed the items would make them stronger and braver. They fought with wooden swords studded with obsidian.

Experts in pre-Hispanic art, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association replicate this extraordinary statuette of Aztec-Mixtec origin. Dated 1325–1521 AD, a brave warrior holds a quetzal gently in his hand as the bird's long green tail cascades over his arm. Working with yellow clay from Oaxaca, the artisans sculpt this museum replica with magnificent details. Includes a stand.

Seated with legs crossed, a Maya bird man gestures with his hands as he speaks. Nicolas Chavez Sojuel works in fragrant cedar wood to depict an image from the archaeological site of Palenque. Dating from the 8th century, the beautiful necropolis was the westernmost point in the ancient Maya empire. The original bird man was sculpted of terracotta and painted in shades of blue. It was discovered in Tomb One and is on display in the site museum.

The headdress is detachable for shipping.

Angel Cerón is inspired by the depiction of Tlácoc in the Ixtlilxóchitl Codex dating back to 1325-1519 AD. The powerful Aztec god of rain appears like a grand warrior holding a lightning rod and shield. His anthropomorphic presence includes a human body with a bird like visage and a grand headdress. According to this codex, Tláloc ruled over the Guinamenti, a civilization of giants who lived in the Anahuac Valley long before the Aztecs. Given his high merits as a ruler he was made a deity.