Mexico

Mexico, a cradle of ancient cultures like the Maya and Aztec, thrived from 1000 BCE onward. Known for pyramids, vibrant ceramics, and codices, it blends a rich pre-Columbian heritage with colonial influences.

Miniature Metate (700–1000 CE)

Antiquities Household Items Mesoamerica Veracruz culture

This miniature metate is a small, intricately carved stone grinding slab from Central Mexico, likely originating in Xochicalco (Morelos region) during the Epiclassic period.

Aztec Chalchiuhtlicue sculpture, 1200–1521 CE, goddess figure in stone

Aztec Chalchiuhtlicue (1200-1521 CE)

Antiquities Aztec Ceremonial & Religious Mesoamerica

Chalchiuhtlicue, the goddess of terrestrial waters—rivers, lakes, and groundwater—was central to Aztec cosmology, reflecting the critical role of water in their agriculture-based society.

Maya cylindrical vessel with carved ballplayer figure, c. 600–1000 CE.

Vessel With Ballplayer (c.600-1000 CE)

Antiquities Ceremonial & Religious Maya Mesoamerica

This cylindrical vessel, adorned with a carved depiction of a diving ballplayer, captures the dynamic intensity of the Mesoamerican ballgame, a central ritual in Maya culture.

Nayarit earthenware pair of standing figures in Ixtlán del Río style, 100 BCE–300 CE.

Pair of Standing Figures (100 BCE-300 CE)

Antiquities Ceremonial & Religious Mesoamerica Nayarit

A pair of standing figures, crafted in the Ixtlán del Río style from earthenware with colored slips, depicts a male and female adorned with jewelry and symbolic attributes.

Olmec stone celt with carved deity, c. 1000–300 BCE

Celt With Deity (c.1000-300 BCE)

Antiquities Ceremonial & Religious Mesoamerica Olmec

This ceremonial stone celt from the Olmec civilization merges the form of an agricultural tool with the face of a supernatural being.

Maya earthenware warrior figurine from Jaina Island, 600–900 CE

Warrior Figurine (600-900 CE)

Antiquities Ceremonial & Religious Maya Mesoamerica

Molded c. 600–900 CE, this Maya earthenware from Jaina Island bears Maya blue warrior attire.

Olmec stone head fragment, c. 900–300 BCE

Olmec Head Fragment (c.900-300 BCE)

Antiquities Mesoamerica Olmec Sculpture

Carved c. 900–300 BCE, this Olmec jadeite head from Mexico’s Gulf Coast blends human features with supernatural incisions.

Ballgame Palma (c.900-1100 CE)

Antiquities Asia Ceremonial & Religious Veracruz culture

Carved 900–1100 CE, this stone ballgame palma from Mexico’s Gulf Coast shows bats and sacrifice in Classic Veracruz style.

Huastec earthenware head with serpent animal helmet, c. 600–1000 CE

Head With Animal Helmet (c. 600-1000 CE)

Antiquities Huastec Mesoamerica Sculpture

Modeled between the 7th and 11th centuries, this earthenware figure with an animal helmet from Mexico’s Gulf Coast tops a human head with a serpent helmet.