warrior sculptures

"Both the sun calendar and the eagle warrior are representative of the Mexica culture, also known as Aztec," explain artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association as they introduce this original sculpture. "Briefly, the Aztec calendar symbolizes the ages of earth as well as the deities who they honored through rituals, ceremonies and human sacrifices to preserve cosmic order. Eagle warriors were held in high regard for their bravery and courage. War was crucial to the Aztec Empire, for that is how they sustained their economy and religion." The artisans craft the ceramic sculpture by hand with elaborate detail with color accents.

Depicted in the Florentine Codex as well as in historic paintings, the jaguar warrior comes to life in ceramic. Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association portray him wearing a mask that represents the fierce spotted cat. These fighting men formed one of the elite divisions of the Aztec army. To one side is the Aztec sun stone, discovered in Mexico City and 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.

Fabulously detailed, this sculpture of a Maya man is an original creation by artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association. The Mexican artisan, expert in pre-Hispanic art and history, now ventures into the creation of original characters inspired by historical facts. This vivid ceramic sculpture portrays the man with an impressive headdress, attire and jewelry. Sitting cross-legged, he holds a chu - a vessel specifically used for alcoholic beverages.

Seated with legs crossed, a man with the head of a bird holds an artifact depicting a cross. This cross shape forms windows in several structures in the archaeological site of Palenque, in Southwestern Mexico, and a glyph referring to the birdman is found on stelae there. Working in ceramic, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association create a polychrome replica of an image discovered in Tomb One. The original is on display in the museum at the site itself.