Aztec Image of Xochiquetzal - SOLD
Circa A.D. 1470-1521
Gray stone
Height 14 inches
Provenance: Bonhams, NY November 13, 2014
Scott and Stuart Gentling Collection, Dallas, TX
Property from the Scott and Stuart Gentling Collection
With her arms resting on her thighs and hands clasped in front, wearing a necklace with two strands of large circular beads, wearing a headdress with long strands of hair resting on her shoulders.
Xochiquetzal means Flower Quetzal. She was the patron goddess of palace women in general as well as lovers, prostitutes weavers, and craftspeople who prayed to her for their skills in art production. Appearing as a beautiful young woman she was a seductress and had many lovers including Tlaloc and Tezcatlipoca. Her son was the maize god Centeotl. She seduced Yappan and in so doing he was transformed into a scorpion whose venom was used in medicinal practices over which Xochiquetzal presided.