Huastec culture, Veracruz, Mexico, Male Figure

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.