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Aztec Sculpture of a Spider Monkey with Pre-1970 UNESCO-Compliant Provenance

About the Item

Aztec Spider Monkey with Wind God Regalia This sculpture portrays a spider monkey (Ateles geofroyi) wearing the regalia associated with the Aztec Wind God, Quetzalcoatl-Ehecatl. The monkey sits on its haunches with its legs folded on its sides with elongated toes projecting forward. The arms are raised as the monkey reaches back over his shoulders to grasp its own prehensile tail. Spider monkeys do not have fur around their eyes, and the artist captured this feature in the representation. The open mouth may have been associated with Ehecatl blowing wind. The figure wears beaded wristlets, anklets, and an elaborate collar fringed with marine shells. Below the collar hangs a representation of a pectoral, likely a cross-section of a conch shell, known in Nahuatl as ehecacozcatl, or "wind jewel." Large ear ornaments, also associated with the Wind God, dangle over the monkey’s shoulders. Across Mesoamerica, the spider monkey was an important subject for art and featured heavily in mythological scenes. Artists in the Postclassic period (ca. 900–1521) showed monkeys in stone, ceramic, and gold, with large stomachs, animated facial expressions, and attenuated tails that they often hold in their paws. In Nahuatl, the monkey is called ozomatli and is the eleventh day sign of the ancient Aztec calendar. The last photo in the gallery is an almost identical Aztec Spider Monkey which is in the Metropolitan Museum in N.Y. The only difference is in the treatment of the mouth, which is baring its teeth as if snarling. The offered Monkey has an open mouth, as if it is blowing wind as Ehecetl, the Wind God. Another difference is in the condition. Many Aztec Sculptures were smashed by over-zealous Spanish priests who were intent on destroying these "Heathen Idols". The Met piece has the elbow broken off, and the mouth damaged, while the offered example has a restored crack above the mouth which does not effect the features of the face. The expressive mouth makes the face much more attractive than the snarling and broken mouth pf the Met example. This sculpture has been in a Los Angeles private collection since the late 1960's. Above in the Images section is An authentication of it by the noted Pre-Columbian Scholar Hasso von Winning, dated Feb. 12, 1970.

Dimensions:

Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)

Style:

Pre-Columbian (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Stone,Carved

Place of Origin:

Mexico

Period:

15th Century and Earlier

Date of Manufacture:

Late 15th - Early 16th Century

Condition:

Repaired: The top of the head has a clean break below the nose which was restored. It is barely visible, and does not effect the face. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages.

Seller Location:

Culver City, CA

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU8673238648822

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