Huaxtec female Deity at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

This sculpture represents one of three female Huaxtec deities currently on display at The British Museum in London. The female figures share similar characteristics, such as a rigid posture, hands placed over their stomachs, bare breasts, and usually wear a skirt and large headdress. The headdress is typically composed of a rectangular section with a conical cap on top and a fan-shaped crest, as seen on this sculpture. These female deities are linked to Tlazolteotl, an earth goddess also associated with filth and carnal sin. Her name comes from the Nahuatl word tlazolli, which means 'filth', and teotl, a broad term for 'deity'. She was revered by the Mexica, who conquered the Gulf Coast in the fifteenth century during the reign of Motecuhzoma I (1440-69). The Mexica king consecrated a new extension of the Templo Mayor with a ceremony in which a large number of Huastec captives were sacrificed in honor of Xipe Totec, the god of fertility. Several gods revered by the Mexica were worshipped earlier in the Gulf Coast and other areas, and were added to the Mexica pantheon. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for the public to access for free. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.