Impressive Aztec Stone Coiled Snake - Quetzalcoatl

Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Aztec, ca. 1325 to 1475 CE. An expertly carved and quite large volcanic stone sculpture depicting a coiled Quetzalcoatl, the mythical serpent, with an intimidating visage presenting incised beady eyes, an open mouth revealing sharp fangs and a long, forked tongue that extends down to the lower coil of its body, and a lengthy rattler as its tail. The body itself is smoothly carved with overlapping coils as though tied into a mesmerizing knot. Snakes provide a fascinating element of Pre-Columbian iconography, as important symbols of power, rebirth, transition, and renewal. Since snakes shed their skin annually, thus rejuvenating themselves, the ancients of Mexico viewed them as providing hope for the possibility of change in the face of adversity. Size: 11.5" L x 10.1" W x 10.5" H (29.2 cm x 25.7 cm x 26.7 cm)

A pair of Aztec stone serpents can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1 nearly identical under accession number 1979.206.477 and the other with its mouth closed under accession number 00.5.32. The curator's description of 00.5.32 points to other serpents depicted in ancient Mexican visual culture, "At the Main Temple in the Aztec imperial capital Tenochtitlan, serpent depictions proliferate: monumental snake heads, probably representing different species - with open fanged mouths and forked tongues - flank braziers and stairways leading to the sanctuaries. The temple itself is said to have been surrounded at the time of the Spanish conquest by a serpent wall, or Coatepantli, formed by hundreds of adjoining sculptures of snakes."

This serpent form represents Quetzalcoatl - "Feathered Serpent" in the Nahuatl language - the Pre-Columbian deity revered as lord of wind and sky. The earliest representations of Quetzalcoatl adorn the Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Teotihuacan, Mexico (ca. 3rd century CE) where numerous stone heads of the divine plumed snake embellish the steps of this Pre-Classic pyramid. The pioneering artist/anthropologist Miguel Covarrubias whose writings and illustrations on indigenous cultures of the ancient Americas continue to contribute to scholarly studies today stated, "Quetzalcoatl stood for all that was good in this world: peace, art, wisdom, and prosperity. Disguised as an ant, he discovered maize, the staple food of the Indians, hidden under the mountain of Substance, Tonacatepetl; he also invented the arts, the sciences, and the calendar. In fact, everything connected with wisdom and culture was attributed to Quetzalcoatl." (Miguel Covarrubias, Mexico South: The Isthmus of Tehuantepec (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946), 130)

Cf. The Vilcek Foundation, accession number 2003.01.1

An Aztec stone serpent of matching size and form was sold for $60,000 by Sotheby's New York during their African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art auction on May 17th, 2007 (sale number N08320, lot 240).

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Santa Fe collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired 2003; ex-Ron Messick Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, 2003; ex-Allen Davis collection, Chardon, Ohio, USA

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#167906
Condition Report: Miniscule nick on side of head, as well as a few light abrasions in areas. Otherwise, intact and excellent with remarkable preservation of detail and smoothly carved surfaces.