Blade 

This obsidian blade, crafted by Aztec artists between 1300 and 1521, presents a stark interplay of form and function. The blade’s elongated shape, tapering to a sharp point, immediately directs our attention to its intended purpose. The obsidian material, volcanic glass, gives the piece a deep, reflective blackness, almost a void. This visual effect invites contemplation on the blade's dual nature: its capacity for precision and its inherent potential for violence. The rough, uneven texture of the blade is a key structural element, contrasting sharply with the smooth, polished obsidian on its cutting edge. This juxtaposition destabilizes the conventional understanding of the blade as a purely functional object, transforming it into a complex signifier of power, skill, and the ambiguous relationship between creation and destruction. The blade transcends its practical purpose, challenging fixed meanings and engaging with profound ideas about human agency.