Aztec double headed serpent made from turquoise mosaic pieces. In nahuatl language the serpent is coatl, a word that appears in fact in the names of the major aztec deities. When i saw it on amazon i knew i had to have it to decorate my classroom. This serpent is not just painted but it is textured as well. A double headed serpent aztec figurine from mexico a. Masterpieces of the british museum the aztec double headed serpent tv episode 2006 on imdb. High quality double headed serpent gifts and merchandise. The doubleheaded serpent is an aztec sculpture kept at the british museum. The doubleheaded serpent is a sculpture made by the aztecs in the 15th or 16th century.
It came from aztec mexico and might have been worn or displayed in religious ceremonies. Aztec doubleheaded serpent detail one of my favourite o. The serpent was an important animal in mesoamerican cultures and appears frequently in aztec iconography. We find the serpent in the paradise of the bible, but moses use it in front of the pharaoh to show gods power and he uses it again to help people who was in the exodus with him please read number 21. This antique style wall hanging of a double headed serpent is inspired by a. The serpent was one of the symbols of tlaloc, the aztec rain god, and would have been worn as a pendant by a high priest. This doubleheaded serpent is one of the most highly crafted and strangely compelling of these rare aztec survivals. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
The most prominent being quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl, the fire serpent, mixcoatl the cloud serpent and coatlicue she of the serpent skirt, or the mother of the aztec god huitzilopochtli. May 10, 2019 originally a series of bbc radio broadcasts, a history of the world in 100 objects explores objects from prehistory through 2010 ce, including a 2millionyearold chopping tool, a welsh gold cape, a mummy coffin, a seated buddha from pakistan, and the doubleheaded aztec serpent on the book cover. See more ideas about aztec, mesoamerican and aztec art. In aztec mythology, chalchiuhtlicue also chalciuhtlicue, or chalcihuitlicue she of the jade skirt was the goddess of lakes and streams. Turquoise mosaic of a double headed serpent, aztec mixtec, mexico, 15th16th century. The doubleheaded serpent looks like two wavy snakes acting as the others tail. Double headed serpent this double headed serpent is a sculpture from aztec mexico, which was used in religious ceremonies. One day, a young boy had found a two headed serpent snake whose skin had beautiful colors with gold and silver stripes down its back. Dec 31, 20 double headed serpent carving aztec, ca. Composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wood base, it is one of nine mosaics of similar material in the british museum. This week neil macgregor, the museums director, is with objects from around the world between 1450 and 1600.
Aztec double headed serpent made from turquoise mosaic pieces and carved in wood. The serpent is made up of about two thousand tiny pieces of turquoise, set on to a curved wooden frame, about a foot and a half 45 cm wide. The mexica indians aztecs and the doubleheaded serpent the double headed serpent the serpent was a symbol of rebirth because of its ability to shed its skin and be reborn in a sense their gods at serpentine characteristics quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire. Sacrificial knife with mosaic handle and chalcedony blade. A detail of the celebrated aztec double headed serpent. Aztek double headed serpent design the design is not complicated and can be used in many ways. This site will help you find information on the maya aztec and inca cultures carving of centeotl, aztec god of corn. Doubleheaded serpents feature strongly in the myths and religion of ancient mexico, and mesoamerica in general. Many of the aztec gods have serpentine qualities and it is thought that the animals ability to shed its skin made it a symbol of rebirth. This middetail artifact is great for populating any scene in need of an authentic and foreboding ancient ruin. This is the time of huge european expansion thanks to the new. Jan 28, 2014 episode 66 an examination of an aztec ornament depicting a double headed serpent, carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic, which is believed to have been worn on ceremonial occasions. Aztec double headed serpent made from turquoise mosaic. This striking object was probably worn on ceremonial occasions as a pectoral an ornament worn on the chest.
Aztec doubleheaded serpent detail one of my favourite objects in the british museum which must of looked awesome when first made below is the text from the british museum site about this wonderful artefact. The kids in my class always want to touch it, especially the fangs. Listen to a history of the world in 100 objects episodes free, on demand. Design toscano aztec double headed serpent wall sculpture. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Aztec quetzalcoatl serpent colorful history from mexico printed patch sew on. Doubleheaded serpent simple english wikipedia, the free. Quetzalcoatl illustration ancient history encyclopedia. Oct 30, 2011 a double headed serpent aztec figurine from mexico a. History of the world in 100 objects, from british museum.
Brief history of aztec archaeology19 main historical primary sources about the aztec24 reading26 2 evolution of aztec. Quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire serpent, mixcoatl cloud serpent or coatlicue she of the serpent. The word serpent in nauatl is coatl which is associated to many gods. The double headed serpent looks like two wavy snakes acting as the others tail. Composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wood base, it is one of nine mosaics of similar material in the. A history of the world in 100 objects doubleheaded. Quetzalcohuatzin, modern nahuatl pronunciation help info is a deity in mesoamerican culture and literature whose name comes from the nahuatl language and means feathered serpent or quetzalfeathered serpent. The double headed serpent is an aztec statue kept at the british museum. The double headed serpent is one of the most highly crafted and strangely compelling of these rare aztec survivals.
Whoever had studied the ancient cultures had found the serpent as a double meaning symbol. The mexica indians aztecs and the double headed serpent the double headed serpent the serpent was a symbol of rebirth because of its ability to shed its skin and be reborn in a sense their gods at serpentine characteristics quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire. The snake in aztec culture rileys focused inquiry blog. History feathered serpent head of quetzalcoaltl aztec maya artifact carved sculpture statue 4.
The double headed serpent is a sculpture made by the aztecs in the 15th or 16th century. Interactive quiz about awesome aztecs with answers back to aztec index for kids. This one has a gold material and extensive detail in the bump map. Jacqueline barnitzs twentiethcentury art of latin america and the a history of the world in 100 objects podcast on the aztec double headed serpent. Double headed serpent pectoral 2 knife blade with image of a face 214 orientation of a pyramidtemple 219. Universal history archiveuniversal images group via getty images.
In nahuatl, the language spoken by the aztecs, the word for serpent is in fact coatl, which is found in many other compound words of. Introduction to the aztecs mexica article khan academy. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit you and license. I purchased this aztec double headed serpent last year. With daniel evans, elizabeth baquedano, caroline dodds pennock, steven gregory. Arts and humanities art of the americas to world war i n.
The eyes would have been rendered with inlay, probably of iron pyrite. The serpent played many different roles in aztec religion. Since serpents regularly shed their skins and emerge shining and fresh as though made anew, they seemed to aztec mystics to transcend the dull cycle of aging. The word for serpent in nahuatl, the language spoken by the aztecs, is coatl and is associated with several gods such as quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire serpent, mixcoatl cloud serpent or coatlicue she of the serpent skirt, the mother of the aztec god. The aztecs were a civilization that thrived in the valley of mexico mesoamerica from about the th century until about 1519 ad, with the arrival of the. Uploaded by mark cartwright, published on 01 august 20 under the following license. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Doubleheaded serpent wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. It is made from wood covered in turquoise mosaic, spondylus red and conch white shell. The design is based on the famous image of the aztec sculpture depicting a double headed serpent, which is now in the possession of the british museum. Doubleheaded serpent a history of the world in 100 objects.
Double headed serpent the double headed serpent fun facts the double headed serpent was created in aztec, mexico around 14001500. Our quality designer resin, replica mosaic snake is incredible for its intricacy of sculpt and fine faux turquoise handpainting. Aztec double headed serpent the cosmic serpent symbol for. Episode 66 an examination of an aztec ornament depicting a double headed serpent, carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic, which is believed to have been worn on ceremonial occasions. The double headed serpent is an icon and masterpiece of aztec mixtec art. Listening to the sounds of buskers in the heart of mexico city today, beating aztec. Double headed serpent pectoral 2 knife blade with image of a face 214 orientation of a pyramidtemple 219 the pyramidtemple as an axis mundi 221 ball court at coatetelco 223 aqueduct of chapultepec 224 superimpositions of the great temple 230 frontal view of the great temple 231 the seven phases of construction of the great temple 233. This was due to the fact that one head wanted to go left while the other wanted to go right. The much smaller original of this two headed serpent now in the british museum dates from the 14th or 15th century and is made of wood, encrusted with a mosaic of turquoise and shell. Aztec doubleheaded serpent wall sculpture ng32778 design.
The double headed serpent is an aztec sculpture kept at the british museum. The aztecs were only one group that made up the diverse indigenous peoples of mesoamerica, but they were among those groups that encountered europeans. It is made of turquoise chips of stone and has a wooden block for its. The piece of art is currently kept at the british museum. The name also carries the symbolic and descriptive meaning, fire serpent. Xiuhcoatl was a common subject of aztec art, including illustrations in aztec codices, and was used as a back ornament on representations of both xiuhtecuhtli and huitzilopochtli. The history of humanity as told through one hundred objects from the british museum in london is back in south america. Along the way, it started eating anything in its path the forest, all the animals and the countryside itself. No one knows how the piece was discovered or made its way to europe the turquoise mosaic of a double headed serpent is one of the most alluring objects in the. The serpent played a very important role in aztec religion. It is carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic. Gods and goddesses 6 images and photos magick books library.
Add our sculpture to any collection rooted in ancient history. Background reading might include your survey textbook, miller, mary ellen. The doubleheaded serpent is an aztec statue kept at the british museum. Originally the work of an aztec jeweler, the serpent was a very important religious relic, symbolic of rebirth and renewal. Photo of an aztec double headed serpent turquoise chest ornament this article will explore the aztecs views of their own history compared with what is known from the archaeological record. Aztec serpent double headed sculpture british museum reproduction replica. The piece is believed to have been part of a ceremonial costume, worn as a pectoral. Double headed serpents feature strongly in the myths and religion of ancient mexico, and mesoamerica in general. It came from aztec mexico and might have been worn or displayed in religious. The serpent is made out of about 2,000 small pieces of turquoise set on to a curved wooden frame, about 40 centimetres 16 inches wide and half as high. Then it started traveling the countryside looking for more villages to eat. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Xiuhcoatl is a classical nahuatl word that translates literally as, turquoise serpent.
Tattoo of doubleheaded serpent, sacred to the gods tattoo. Wall hanging of the aztec double headed serpent cultural. Aleister crowley the equinox vol iii no iii equinox of the gods 152. A pectoral plate with this double headed serpent was probably used by aztec priests during magical rhytes. Aztec doubleheaded serpent aztecmixtec, century ad, mexico splendid relic of the aztecs, who rose from squalid origins. Peter andreas munch norse mythology legends of gods and heroes. The sculpture depicts an undulating serpent with a head on each side. Then this two headed serpent began eating whole villages and in the process, it enslaved many of the people. This was probably worn on ceremonial occasions as a pectoral an ornament worn on the chest. She is also a patroness of birth and plays a part in aztec baptisms. Turquoise mosaic of a doubleheaded serpent, aztecmixtec.
Both of the snakes faces have one hole for an eye and a mouth filled with white fangs. Masterpieces of the british museum the aztec doubleheaded. An examination of an aztec ornament depicting a double headed serpent, carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic, which is believed to have been worn on ceremonial occasions. Design toscano aztec double headed serpent wall sculpture by design toscano only 11 left in stock more on the way. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
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