Man Carrying a Cacao Pod
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Object Label
The importance of maize (corn) and chocolate, two of the many plants native to the Americas, is exemplified by these Aztec sculptures.
The relief panel of the maize goddess Chicomecóatl may have been set into an altar. Chicomecóatl controlled the positive and negative powers of growth and famine. Her elaborate headdress is topped by two ears of corn. In her right hand, she holds a snake-shaped rattle staff, used to penetrate and fertilize the soil.
The man carrying a cacao pod may represent one of the merchants who brought cacao beans from the tropical coastal lowlands to the Valley of Mexico. Chocolate, made from the beans of the cacao pod, was a popular drink in Aztec society.
Caption
Aztec. Man Carrying a Cacao Pod, 1440–1521. Volcanic stone, traces of red pigment, 14 1/4 x 7 x 7 1/2in. (36.2 x 17.8 x 19.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 40.16. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 40.16_front_PS9.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Man Carrying a Cacao Pod
Date
1440–1521
Geography
Place found: Amatlan, Mexico
Medium
Volcanic stone, traces of red pigment
Classification
Dimensions
14 1/4 x 7 x 7 1/2in. (36.2 x 17.8 x 19.1cm)
Credit Line
Museum Collection Fund
Accession Number
40.16
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
Was chocolate like money for the Aztecs?
Yes! For the Aztec cacao beans were prized trade items. Though they weren't as valuable as gold, textiles or axes, cacao was used for trade most certainly!What was the red pigment made out of on the Man Carrying Cacao pod Aztec sculpture?
This pigment on this particular sculpture has not been scientifically analyzed so we aren't certain, but some of the reds that the Aztecs may have used include cinnabar, iron oxides, and cochineal.Thanks!Can you tell me more about this?
In this sculpture, a man is shown carrying a cacao pod, the beans from which would have been used to create chocolate. Unlike a great deal of Aztec sculpture that has ritual connotations, this sculpture is believed to be purely secular. This is also a great example of naturalism in Aztec sculpture.
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