Incensario Lid
Arts of the Americas
This elaborate lid from a ceremonial incensario (incense burner) depicts the head and torso of a warrior wearing a large headdress, nose plaque, and earplugs. He holds a bundle of spear ends in his right hand and a knife in his left. Three spear-end bundles also adorn the headdress.
In 500 C.E. Teotihuacan, in central Mexico, was one of the largest cities in the world, with an estimated population of 150,000. Teotihuacan’s culture, religion, and art spread throughout Mexico and Central America. This lid, found more than seven hundred miles away, represents a local version of the Teotihuacan prototype.
In 500 C.E. Teotihuacan, in central Mexico, was one of the largest cities in the world, with an estimated population of 150,000. Teotihuacan’s culture, religion, and art spread throughout Mexico and Central America. This lid, found more than seven hundred miles away, represents a local version of the Teotihuacan prototype.
CULTURE
Teotihuacan style
MEDIUM
Ceramic, pigment
DATES
400–700 C.E.
PERIOD
Classical Period
DIMENSIONS
18 1/8 x 19 1/2 x 9 1/4in. (46 x 49.5 x 23.5cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER
75.148
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Danziger
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Elaborate incensario or incense burner lid in the form of a male bust wearing a spectacular headdress with three discs, two feathered quetzal eyes and three bundles of spear ends. The figure wears large circular ear spools and a removable trapezoidal talud-tablero style nose ornament. He carries a blade-like object in the left hand and a bundle of spear ends in the right, suggesting a warrior figure. White, buff, yellow, ochre and red paint are still visible throughout the piece.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Teotihuacan style. Incensario Lid, 400–700 C.E. Ceramic, pigment, 18 1/8 x 19 1/2 x 9 1/4in. (46 x 49.5 x 23.5cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Danziger, 75.148. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 75.148_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
detail, 75.148_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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