Regarding this object, of which the cultural attribution, provenance and age are unknown, it can be tentatively hypothesized that it is made of slate, a rock with a very fine grain and accentuated towards a flattened orientation, for which it is given its name. Geologists define it as a metamorphic rock, originating from sediments composed of minerals from clay with quartz and mica; given its natural formation, there are several types with different coloring and hardness; there are ones with gray, brown, red, green or black tones.
The piece in question has a reddish appearance on the front and a very fine polish and the back is dark gray; with this contrasting style it shows the irregular surface with clear signs of abrasion and lesser polishing. Among the aspects which are implicit in the creation of this ornament of reduced thickness and straight edges, the dexterity and the use of specialized tools can be seen; the two sides allow for the appreciation of the distinct steps taken in the elaborate process involved.
The silhouette has the form of a bird with its head side-on and the body facing forward with the wings folded and a wide tail as the base. The general configuration, and in particular the short cone shaped beak, imply a bird from the eriformes order, which includes more than half of the world's birds, and which in general are small in size. There are three circular perforations, one serves as an eye, the others are in the neck and close to the base of the tail, which can be used to hang the piece in a vertical or horizontal manner, perhaps from a necklace; another possibility is that it was sewn into the garment.
In any case, the diversity in the materials used in the adornments and attire indicate the status of the wearers; often these objects accompanied the individuals to their tombs, in this type of religious context they also fulfilled symbolic functions. Jacqueline Larralde Saenz, who originally collected this work, indicates that it is made of pyrite and is originally from Tabasco.
Regarding this object, of which the cultural attribution, provenance and age are unknown, it can be tentatively hypothesized that it is made of slate, a rock with a very fine grain and accentuated towards a flattened orientation, for which it is given its name. Geologists define it as a metamorphic rock, originating from sediments composed of minerals from clay with quartz and mica; given its natural formation, there are several types with different coloring and hardness; there are ones with gray, brown, red, green or black tones.
