Mother-and-Child Figurine

Curators of the Cleveland Museum, which houses this palm-sized ceramic figurine of a woman, describe the smaller figure in her arms as a child. Other scholars, who have studied similar figurines, describe the woman as carrying a miniature figurine.

Both interpretations emphasize the importance of such figurines to women and children. Figurines are ubiquitous in Aztec archaeological sites, particularly around houses and household courtyards with sweat baths. They were likely mass produced from molds and traded. Many figurines depict goddesses, recognizable by their iconography. Others, like this, depict young human women, recognizable by formal conventions within Aztec art.

Some figurines were actually rattles, which made a percussive noise when shaken. A hole under each armpit indicates this figurine may have been worn as an amulet. Scholars posit that women used these figurines to ensure healthy childbirth and childrearing.