During the Ayotla phase, participation of the Valley of Mexico and the areas bordering the Olmec civilization are clearly shown, and for clay figurines this is translates into a significant proportion of male representations, and in particular in this enigmatic character. It has been interpreted as a warrior, shaman and ball player without any of these hypotheses having been able to be proven.
The whole piece has been covered with a yellow coating and still contains remains of the white and red paint that the sculptor used, along with an abundant use of pastillage to emphasize certain details such as the whites of the eyes and the necklace, or the alternation of the red and white to detail the feathers spread on the large dorsal shield.
The importance of the figure is ascertained by the emblematic attire of his function. On the head is worn a tall headdress with three levels that ends in tip; loose hair falls behind the ears and down to the shoulders, with a fringe over the forehead. The large circular earrings with an oval pendant frame the face covered by a mask above which the gaze is accentuated by the whites of the eyes.
A necklace is worn from which hangs a pectoral, which has often been interpreted as a representation of the pyrite mirror which some figurines carry inserted in their chests. A heavy belt or girdle partially covers the maxtlatl (loincloth), and is adorned with strips interwoven with tassels at each juncture.
Behind is a shield adorned with large feathers whose weight impedes the tiny footed figure from standing. It could be the dorsal mirror that centuries later was part of the sumptuous attire of the warriors. The arms folded forward end in closed fists in a gesture whose meaning we are unaware of. Bands tied around the arms, wrists, knees and ankles complete the attire. In its day the small sculpture would have undoubtedly been easily identifiable, but nowadays with its penetrating look behind the mask, the figure defies our understanding.
During the Ayotla phase, participation of the Valley of Mexico and the areas bordering the Olmec civilization are clearly shown, and for clay figurines this is translates into a significant proportion of male representations, and in particular in this enigmatic character. It has been interpreted as a warrior, shaman and ball player without any of these hypotheses having been able to be proven.
