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Aztec Water Dog/ Ahuitzotl, W Raised Paw, Pre-1970 UNESCO-Compliant Provenance
About the Item
An Aztec Stone Sculpture of a dog-like creature, seated with one raised paw, having large round ears, deep set eyes, mouth with exposed upper fangs, and an unusual curved tail with circular attachments.
This is an Aztec Water Dog, which is a legendary creature in Aztec Mythology. Their Aztec name is Ahuitzotl, and they were known as dangerous creatures that could snatch people from the water’s edge with their prehensile tails.
This dangerous aspect might explain why the eighth Aztec Emperor took the name Ahuitzotl. He ruled from 1486-1502, and was the greatest Aztec Warrior King. His Reign is known as the Aztec Golden Age, since he doubled the size of the Empire to its furthest extent, and also completely rebuilt Tenochtitlan. He was followed by Moctezuma II, the last Emperor, who ruled until the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.
The association of the Emperor Ahuitzotl with this creature, makes this a very important sculpture
There are a number of existing Aztec sculptures of Ahuitzotls, but there is only one other known example with a raised paw.
The sixth photo in the "Additional Images" section shows a similar Ahuitzotl that sold at Christies Paris in the Fiore Collection Sale on Nov. 10, 2021 for $81,000.
The seventh photo is an Ahuitzotl sculpture in the Ethnologische Museum in Berlin.
8th Photo - A famous relief sculpture of an Ahuitzotl in the Mexican National Museum.
9th Photo - A page from the Codex Mendoza showing the Emperor Ahuitzotl with an image of an Ahuitzotl/Water Dog above his head.
10th Photo - A photo of a famous Feather shield depicting an Ahuitzotl in the Museum of Ethnology in Vienna. This shield was probably taken from Tenochtitlan by Cortez during the Conquest, and may in fact have been a standard carried by the Emperor Ahuitzotl's army into battle.
11th Photo - Authentication for this piece by the famous Pre-Columbian scholar Hasso von Winning, dated June 4, 1970
- Creator:Aztec Services (Sculptor)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Pre-Columbian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1486-1502
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. The tip of one foot was broken off in antiquity, and has not been restored. Otherwise, there are no losses, damages, or restoration, and it remains in original, as-found archeological condition.
- Seller Location:Culver City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8673238328882
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