Aztec Torso of a Youth

Benedict Jakober, New York

Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, November 9, 1968, lot 62 (illustrated), consigned by the above

Arthur D. Emil, New York, acquired prior to 1976

Sotheby's, New York, May 12, 2011, lot 166, consigned by the estate of the above

Acquired at the above auction by the present owner

“Depictions of male figures were imbued with the maturity associated with procreation and sustaining the family and state.”¹

The Aztec era is renowned for a prolific array of sculpture of nearly life-size and monumental stone figures. The idealized youthful male was an important component of the state-controlled art.

This mācēhual (meaning common man) is of classic form, wearing solely the gracefully knotted maxtlatl around the waist. The mācēhualtin gained stature for a short period as warriors and administrators, ultimately to be demoted back to stalwart commoners of the society. This figure's forward-leaning posture is found on burden carriers as well as sculptures of elders. The squared recess in the chest was for the addition of a ‘heart’ stone, a distinctive marking emphasizing the vibrant strength of the male figure.

For related figures, see Felipe Solis, ed., The Aztec Empire, New York, 2004, p. 103, cat. nos. 15 and 16 (Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City, inv. nos. 10-220926 and 10-220145, also see inv. no. 10-40607). 

¹ Felipe Solis, “Origins and Forms of Art in the Aztec Empire”, in Felipe Solis, ed., The Aztec Empire, New York, 2004, p. 102.