 Huastec culture, Veracruz, Mexico Male Figure, c. 11th – 12th century carved sandstone Purchase and partial gift from Mary Grant Price, 1984 (5257.1) The Huastecs, who lived in the region along the central and northern Gulf Coast of
Mexico, produced stylized carved stone sculptures, such as this standing, rituallyattired
male figure wearing a simple loin cloth and elaborate headdress. Characteristic
of Huastec figures are the rigid posture, overly large hands raised against the torso
(here the hands are pierced with holes which perhaps once held objects), the
flattened, truncated body with massive feet, and the face framed by headgear or
“penacho” comprising a conical hat and fan-shaped crest. This figure has been
interpreted as cult statue to the god Quetzalcoatl, possibly in his manifestation as
Ehecatl, the god of wind. |