Clay whistle in the form of a head, with a separate clay alligator headdress (part b). The head features a face with large protruding nose and lips, mouth slightly open. They eyes are incised slits. The centre of the face is painted black. The head is hollow, with a large rectangular whistle hole carved in the back. The alligator headdress (part b) shows a wide face with protruding eyes, narrowing to a slender snout holding two rows of prominent teeth. On its head the alligator has an orb surrounded by feathers(?). The underside of the headdress is hollowed into a smooth half sphere. A small hole pierces the clay from underside to centre of forehead on the front. The head has breaks at the top and sides. The headdress has had the left side detached and repaired with glue.

Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Cedric H. Marks

Frank L. Babbott Fund

Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund

Carved, circular shell pectoral decorated with four profile human skulls incised on the concave surface. The four skull motifs are arranged in a circular frieze bordered by an upper and lower band. Each skull is elaborated with an incised eye, mouth, hair, speech scroll emanating from the mouth, and an arrow entering through the eye and exiting through the nose. There is a circular hole is in the center of the piece, and the negative spaces between the skulls are also cut out. The convex side is undecorated.

Large free-standing figure of a man on a thin rectangular base. Half circle headdress with incised decoration; conical hat fitting down into a broad headband. Face carefully modeled with decoration running from each eye across cheek. Ear plugs have strap-like pendants that hang down over shoulders. Recessed eyes and deep depressions of the ear spools probably held inlays. Below neck is breast ornament. Broad skirt hangs down to knees with incised textile designs. Densely patterned designs covering the upper arms, hands, abdomen and legs include ears of corn and feline heads and most likely represent tattooing. Elbows bent. Right hand on breast with fingers curling around empty socket, in which a banner or staff may have been inserted. The left hand rests against belt. Depression at the navel was probably used for ritual offerings. Other side of piece is a standing skeletal figure wearing a conical hat adorned with feathers. Arms are full flesh. Incised tattoo designs are on arms and legs. The feet end in claws. Belt and skirt have incised decoration. Figure is in good condition with overall signs of surface wear. Label copy: This sculpture exemplifies the dualism permeating Huastec and Aztec art. On one side, a life-size male figure wears a conical hat, large ear spools, and a skirt tied around his waist. Densely patterned designs, including ears of corn and feline heads cover the upper arms, hands, abdomen and legs - most likely representations of tattooing. The recessed eyes and deep depressions of the ear spools probably held inlays. The deep depression in the navel, the symbolic heart of the figure, was probably used for ritual offerings. The fingers of the raised right hand curl around an opening in which a staff or banner would have been inserted. The other side of the sculpture is dominated by a dramatic skeletal figure wearing a conical hat adorned with feathers and having feet that end in claws. The piece has been interpreted either as a cult statue to the god Quetzalcoatl or as a representation of a Huastec ruler.

Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund

Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund