Hunchback Leaning on Staff

myminifactory

The artwork of northern Veracruz's Huastec region stands out for its distinctive style. In this area, the fluidly abstract portrayal of a figure leaning on a walking stick may symbolize old age itself, as it features a lined face, a bent posture, a hunched back, and sagging knees. With its chin resting on the curved stick that ends at its feet, the figure could very well be the Huastec thunder god, Mam, and the stick possibly a digging tool used for planting crops. However, the staffs of similar sculptures terminate in snake heads, prompting questions about the precise nature of such an interpretation.