Aztec Chalchiuhtlicue, circa 1200-1521 CE

Gray basalt (stone) and red ochre (pigment) Chalchiuhtlicue, circa 1200-1521 CE, now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. From the sculpture's description on artsmia.org: *'Chalchiuhtlicue, literally "She of the Jade Skirt," is the Mexica goddess of water and the wife of rain god Tlaloc...Precious stone or shell was once inlaid into her eyes, the incisions in her cheeks, and the cavity in her chest. However, this sculpture assumes the pose characteristic of another important Mexica goddess. Her pose, standing with her hands extending outward as if she were holding something, is typical of the corn goddess Chicomecoatl. As Chicomecoatl, she would have likely held small ears of an ancient variety of corn, which are now lost. Both goddesses are associated with fertility. A sculpture like this one would have been the focal point of a shrine. '* This object is about 51cm (20") tall. A printable version is on Thingiverse at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3648896