Aztec Stone Figure of a Man Postclassic, ca. A.D 1300-1521

standing resolutely with idealized and calm expression, the ears pierced for ornaments, an incised line around the chin perhaps for attachment of a costume element, his naked body with long torso showing erect phallus, and the characterisitic rectangular chest cavity, fragmentary arms raised, the strong legs slightly bent with ankle bones indicated; in grey basalt.

Davis Bennett, Texas
Allan Stone, New York, acquired from the above prior to the mid 1980's

The visible damage on the face and loss of arms. Has been broken and repaired below both knees, otherwise fine.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Aztec stone figures of young men were idealized 'mannequins,' ready to be dressed as required for ceremonial parades, festivals of various deities, as standard bearers in shrines, or for protection of buildings and locales. There was a wide range of styles and varying stone quality of the native volcanic rock, between figures from the Imperial workshops of Tenochtitlan and other sites in the Valley of Mexico. While some centrally-trained craftsmen produced large scale figural sculptures in outlying regions, many locales created works using their own artistans and local materials (Umberger 1996: pp. 151-179).

The erect phallus is an unusual feature, also seen on a figure from Tetzcoco, donated to the Museo Nacional de Antropoloiga in the 19th C. (Moctezuma and Olguin 2002: cat. no. 33), also see ibid (cat. no. 32) for the Ehecatl wind god figure from Calixtlahuaca showing a similar leg treatment; and ibid (cat. no. 35) for a slender male figure in the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University.