Metate 1 - 499

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This carved stone metate, dating back to 1 - 499, is a testament to the artistic craftsmanship of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures. Created by an anonymous artist, the metate, a grinding stone used for preparing food, is characterized by intricate carvings that adorn its legs and frame. The stone’s rough surface, reminiscent of volcanic rock, contrasts with the detailed carvings, highlighting the skill of the artisan. This metate, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, serves as a window into the daily life and artistic traditions of ancient Mesoamerican peoples.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Flying panel metates or grinding stones such as this one were among the largest sculptures produced in Central America. They were prestige ritual objects owned by chiefs, and symbolically represented his control over labor and agricultural surplus. Themes portrayed on these metates are generally quite complex, but are almost always related to issues of fertility and renewal. The tripod supports of this sculpture feature figures of captives with their heads held in the beaks of birds, a reference to agriculture and sowing, as heads were symbolic of seeds. The central panel shows an individual with outstretched arms wearing a crocodile mask, surrounded by serpents. Both animals are connected to the earth and the supernatural.