Vasija Calada

Due to its energy and playful nature, the monkey (ozomatli) was associated with the complex of gods of music, dance and the game presided by Macuilxóchitl (“5 flower”). In this small red vessel is represented a succession of monkeys arranged horizontally on the body of the vessel with the techniques of openwork and seal. The monkeys have a plant in one of their hands and with an attitude of dancing. The speech scroll represented in front of the mouth of each of them indicates they are speaking or singing. The oval earrings are characteristic of this complex of deities and three stands in the shape of a flower of many stamens. This kinds of flowers are painted in red ind different native pictographs and always associated with the worship of Macuilxóchitl. The wavy edge of the vessel resembles a flower with an open corolla.The surface of the jar is covered with slip and was perfectly polished. It is thought that it could have been used as a small brazier to burn herbs or copal in honor of the god of music and dance.It comes from Malinalco, a town located southwest of Tenochtitlan, which was one of the most important Mexica military center.Arqlga. Bertina Olmedo Vera