Visual Art, FND3, Markers of Time: Animal Sculpture

summative task, UNIT 1

Name: Titouan Goldschmid

A Knowing and Understanding : (CRITERIA: A ii.)

A- ii. PART 2- (the ROLE of the sculpture)

● ii. demonstrate knowledge of the role of the art form in original or displaced contexts

https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx
?assetId=480477001&objectId=663692&partId=1

https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/a_history_of_the_world/objects.aspx#78

Double-headed serpent. Turquoise mosaic on wood. Mixtec-Aztec, AD 1400-1521

● Answer the questions below in your own words using full sentences.

1. What mediums did the Aztecs use to make the sculpture?

The sculpture is made of cedrela wood with mosaics over it.
The mosaics were painted with: turquoise; pine resin; oyster shell; hematite; copal;
conch shell; beeswax.
2. What might you infer (understand) about the Aztec’s appreciation of the natural
world when looking at the sculpture?
We can infer, when looking at this sculpture, that the Aztec lived in a wild world
and were often attacked by dangerous serpents.

3. What does the serpent SYMBOLISE?

The serpent would symbolize the serpent god, Quetzalcoatl. Or also could have
symbolized power as the symbol was a great prey and very dangerous. They
were considered to be the bearers of bad things.

4. Where did the Aztecs wear the sculpture?

The Aztecs wear the sculptures on their chest for ceremonial occasions.

5. What was the function of this artwork in the Aztec empire?

The Aztecs used the artwork by putting it on the arm of an Aztec and if he could
not move his arm that would mean that death was approaching.