The Late Post-Classic (1250-1521 A.D.) is a time in the history of Pre-Columbian Mexico when the elaboration of sculptural works was very prolific. In this period in the central Mexico stonework was common. We can see it in the great monumental works that reflect the most important deities of the Nahua pantheon, such as the Coatlicue or the Tlaltecuhtli, but perhaps the medium-sized pieces that are found in all the collections of archaeological objects of the country are more frequent.
This is the case of piece 1412 where a squatting seated man is represented. The head is overly big for the body and the inexpressive face is barely defined with circular eyes, straight eyebrows, an aquiline nose and a half-open mouth. The ears have faint circular incisions inside, forming a figure similar to the cut of a mushroom. Also, at the back of the piece, at the height of the head, thick lines that simulate the character's hair are observed.
If we go down the piece a little more, a flat torso is distinguished, which does not define any element on the chest or back and there are two thin arms framing it that are simulated by grinding on the stone. These limbs are crossed in front and bent at the level of the elbow with the right arm over the left. The very roughly worked hands barely show slight grinding, perhaps simulating fingers.
In the lower part of the piece we see the bent legs, the knees serving to the arms. In the front, a large central band simulates the maxtlatl or loincloth of the character, while two small vertical bands represent the legs. On the back we can see the knot of the fabric and we can distinguish how the character is sitting on a prismatic block that, in turn, serves as the base for the piece, which helps explain the missing one found in the front, where two ostentatious sandals, now lost, must have been represented.
These sculptures were generally covered with a layer of stucco and shapes were defined onto these in red, black, blue and ochre colors; along with the white of the stucco, the attributes that distinguished the shape and customized the piece were placed.
These pieces are frequently found in Central Mexico associated with offerings, although due to the large number of pieces that have these characteristics, there is a possibility that they served as representations of the deities in small ceremonies or in the private worship of some groups, serving in both cases as a link between the deity and the people. However, when we look at this piece many questions remain unanswered; what deity did the people seek to communicate with? What favors did the population expect to have? What songs, movements and rituals were performed? These are the questions, among many others, that the object is silent about and that we cannot answer.
