"Turquoise Mosaic of a
double-headed serpent" (see detail)
Mixtec - Aztec (AD 1400 - 1521) - British
Museum, London, England.Doubled-headed or paired
serpents are an enduring theme in Mesoamerican mythology and religion.
In the
Aztec language, Nahuatl, the word "coatl" means serpent or twin and forms part
of the
name of important deities such as Quetzalcoatl and Coatlicue.
This mosaic was probably made by Mixtec artisans working for the Aztec
Royal Court, and may
have been among the treasures given by the Emperor
Mocetuzohma II to Cortes upon his arrival
on the coast of Mexico in 1519.
( Back to Illustrated Theme)
