original sculpture

Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of sun and war, appears in colorful regalia in this ceramic sculpture by Angel Cerón. He is inspired by the images of the legendary deity featured in the Mexica Codex, for the original sculpture was said to have been destroyed by a Spanish soldier and was rescued by a Tlatolatl. The statue reappeared in 1530 during an investigation by Bishop Zumárraga, only to be lost again. It is speculated to be safely hidden in a cave somewhere in the Anahuac Valley. Huitzilopochtli was represented as a hummingbird as it was believed that great warriors are reborn as these birds. Huitzilopochtli is usually depicted with a feathered headdress, a black face, and a scepter shaped like a snake. Ceron sculpts the piece with yellow clay and uses natural dyes for color.

Experts in pre-Hispanic art, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association replicate this extraordinary statuette of Aztec-Mixtec origin. Dated 1325–1521 AD, a brave warrior holds a quetzal gently in his hand as the bird's long green tail cascades over his arm. Working with yellow clay from Oaxaca, the artisans sculpt this museum replica with magnificent details. Includes a stand.

Maria Estela Perlera de Portillo recreates the elaborate stone sculpture known as the "Aztec Calendar" or "Sun Stone." Discovered in Mexico City, the original massive stone is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History. The Aztecs (or Mexica, as they called themselves) believed that the sun struggled daily against the forces of darkness. They aided the sun through human sacrifices. This superb example is meticulously created by hand with intricate wood inlay.

Angel Cerón reveals the presence of Chalchiuhtlicue as he works with clay extracted from the state of Oaxaca. Officially authorized to replicate pre-Hispanic museum pieces, Cerón crafts a detailed statuette of this feminine deity, the female companion of Tlaloc, Aztec god of rain. The original is dated between 1325 and 1521 A.D. Chalchiuhtlicue is the goddess of lakes, rivers, fountains, seas and oceans, and thus the protector of sailors and is also known as "She with the Jade Skirt" symbolizing pure and crystalline running water. "Chalchiuhtlicue is usually depicted holding a staff representing lightning, and a bag of copal, where clouds are formed. She is revered as the female principle of life and patron of midwives and newborns," explains Cerón who though he has officially retired, he continues to pursue his life-long passion for pre-Hispanic art.

Legend tells how Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, created the human race. However, in doing so, he had to confront Mictlantecuhtli, the god of death. Inspired by this story, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association create an original mask that is faithful to Mexico's ancient books and archaeological record.