Reclining Jaguar
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Object Label
The Aztec Empire, centered in the Valley of Mexico, existed from 1325 until the Spanish conquest of 1521. This reclining jaguar is an excellent example of Aztec naturalistic sculpture. Every part of the animal is carefully rendered, including the underside, where the paw pads are carved in low relief. To the Aztec, the jaguar symbolized power, courage, and a warlike attitude. Some of the highest-ranking warriors were called jaguar warriors, and rulers associated themselves with Tezcatlipoca, a deity who sometimes assumed the guise of this powerful predator.
Caption
Aztec. Reclining Jaguar, 1400–1521. Volcanic stone, 5 x 11 x 5 3/4 in. (12.7 x 27.9 x 14.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 38.45. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 38.45_SL1.jpg)
Collection
Collection
Culture
Title
Reclining Jaguar
Date
1400–1521
Geography
Place found: Mexico
Medium
Volcanic stone
Classification
Dimensions
5 x 11 x 5 3/4 in. (12.7 x 27.9 x 14.6 cm)
Credit Line
Carll H. de Silver Fund
Accession Number
38.45
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
Frequent Art Questions
Who made this?
This is a Reclining Jaguar from the Aztec culture in current day Mexico. As you may have read on the label Jaguars held special significance in Aztec culture, representing power and might (not too far of a stretch given how powerful and dangerous these animals are). Often Jaguars were associated with warriors and rulers. This sculpture may have been placed in a temple, palace, or the home of an elite family. Due to the jaguar imagery, it may have adorned a military academy where warriors were trained.The Aztecs have a hugely complex society and many people are familiar with their step pyramids, impressive gold jewelry and elaborate and beautiful frescos. One interesting fact is that despite their skilled metal working techniques, due to the rarity of copper in the region the majority of stone cutting was done with flint tools. These amazing details and sumptuous forms are even more impressive when you realize the difficulty of the process!
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