Carll H. de Silver Fund

The importance of maize (corn) and chocolate, two of the many plants native to the Americas, is exemplified by these Aztec sculptures.

The relief panel of the maize goddess Chicomecóatl may have been set into an altar. Chicomecóatl controlled the positive and negative powers of growth and famine. Her elaborate headdress is topped by two ears of corn. In her right hand, she holds a snake-shaped rattle staff, used to penetrate and fertilize the soil.

The man carrying a cacao pod may represent one of the merchants who brought cacao beans from the tropical coastal lowlands to the Valley of Mexico. Chocolate, made from the beans of the cacao pod, was a popular drink in Aztec society.

Gift of the Estate of Alice M. Kaplan

Incised stamp in the shape of a bird, possibly a quetzal. Trapezoidal handle on the back. Used for transferring designs. Writing on the back: "Xochi quetzal." Condition: good.

Slightly curved, rectangular stamp with a hollow, rattle handle and deeply incised geometrical designs. Used for transferring designs. Condition: good.

Stamp in the shape of a bird's head with deeply incised designs of the bird's features including a large, eagle-shaped beak and feathers around the head. There is a globular handle on the back. Used for transferring designs. Condition: good; some feathers are broken or chipped and the handle has been repaired.

Slightly curved rectangular stamp with an incised design of two curling snakes (?) and a trapezoidal-shaped handle on the back. Used for transferring designs. Condition: good.

Curved rectangular stamp with incised geometrical designs and a trapezoidal handle on the back. Used for transferring designs. Condition: good; slightly chipped and a repaired break.

Rectangular stamp with incised geometrical designs set within a border of small lines. Large square handle on the back. Used for transferring designs. Condition: good.

Rectangular stamp with solid handle and deeply incised geometrical designs of two monkey-like animals. Used for transferring designs. Condition: good