We are accustomed to recognizing the Mezcala tradition in anthropomorphic figures, but there are some other representations which formed part of the same carving tradition that show similar technical and stylistic solutions. Such as in the case of representations of fauna, like: monkeys, frogs, rabbits and snakes.
In all these figures we find the schematic solution and the tendency for strong abstraction. In the case of this figure, even though it reminds us of an animal, we are unable to determine which animal it references.
Everything indicates that the stone representations of these animals formed a part of Mezcala grave goods, much in the same way as the Western shaft tombs, in which the presence of human figures was combined with that of animals. Such animals would have accompanied the deceased in both cases. What we have not been able to determine is the specific symbolism of each one that would justify their presence in the tomb. In the case of shat tombs, the dog is very frequent and that fact matches with the believe that dogs were soul companions for the deceased in their route to the underworld. Nevertheless, in the Mezcala tradition we hardly find dogs.
This piece presents a perforation that indicates that was used as a pendant, which means it was part of the ornaments or dowry of a noble character and later on, it was buried with him.
We are accustomed to recognizing the Mezcala tradition in anthropomorphic figures, but there are some other representations which formed part of the same carving tradition that show similar technical and stylistic solutions. Such as in the case of representations of fauna, like: monkeys, frogs, rabbits and snakes.
