Aztec
Water Goddess (Chalchiuhtlicue)
Aztec, 1299-1520
Scroll
Aztec
Water Goddess (Chalchiuhtlicue)
Aztec, 1299-1520
Physical Qualities
Basalt, 14 3/4 x 7 7/8 x 6 11/16 in. (37.5 x 20 x 17 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Alan Wurtzburger
Object Number
1960.30.1
Deities of rain and agriculture are found in many Mesoamerican religions. These divine beings were believed to help cultures flourish in challenging climates like those found in areas of Central and Southern Mexico.
The Nahua peoples, also known as the Aztec, built a vast empire across Mexico from around 1325 CE until they surrendered to Spanish and Indigenous allied forces in 1521. Like the Zapotec, they prayed to various gods for help sustaining their population, including the two seen here, Chicomecoatl and Chalchiuhtlicue. Identifiable by their attire, Chicomecoatl is the goddess of maize and Chalchiuhtlicue is the goddess of spring waters, lakes, rivers, and fertility.
Ancient Americas Gallery Rotations 2021
Ancient Americas Gallery Rotations 2022
Ancient Americas Gallery Rotations 2023
Ancient Americas Rotations 2024
"News", Baltimore Museum of Art, February 1958, ill. p. 5.
"The Wurtzburger Collection Pre-Columbian Art," Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1958, pp. 15 and 42, ill. p. 16, fig. 1,
"A Tribute to Adelyn C. Breeskin," BMA News Quarterly, Vol. XXI, No. 4, Summber 1962, ill. p. 14.
"Water Goddess (Chalchiuhtlicue)" BMA Today issue 170 (Winter/Spring 2023): p. 3
Eduardo Matos Moctezuma, et al, "Aztecs," London: Royal Academy of Arts, 2002, nos. 38 and 120-122.
"Collection d'Art Precolombien d'un Americaniste," Paris: Ader Picard Tajan, 1983, nos. 115, 208.
H. B. Nicolson, "Art of Aztec Mexico, Treasures of Tenochtitlan," Washington, D.C.: National Gallery of Art, 1983, no. 17, pp. 69-73, and no. 19, pp. 74-75.
Esther Paztory, "Aztec Art," NY: Abrams, 1983, no. 29, pp. 180, pp. 218-220, pl. 34-36.
P. Westheim, "The Sculpture of Ancient Mexico," Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1963, fig. 77.
George C. Vaillant, "The Aztecs of Mexico," Baltimore: Penguin, 1961.
S. K. Lothrop, "Robert Woods Bliss Collection of Pre-Columbian Art," NY: Phaidon, 1957, nos. 50-51.
G. Medioni and M-T. Pinto, "Art in Ancient Mexico," NY: Oxford University, 1941, nos. 230 and 234.
E. von Sydow, "Die Kunst der Naturwolker und der Vorzeit," Berlin: Propylain-Verlag, 1932, no. 19.
Adolphe Basler and Ernest Brummer, "L'Art Precolombien," Paris: Librairie de France, 1928, no. 79.
"Collection d'Art Precolombien d'un Americaniste," Paris: Ader Picard Tajan, 1983, nos. 115, 208.
H. B. Nicolson, "Art of Aztec Mexico, Treasures of Tenochtitlan," Washington, D.C.: National Gallery of Art, 1983, no. 17, pp. 69-73, and no. 19, pp. 74-75.
Esther Paztory, "Aztec Art," NY: Abrams, 1983, no. 29, pp. 180, pp. 218-220, pl. 34-36.
P. Westheim, "The Sculpture of Ancient Mexico," Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1963, fig. 77.
George C. Vaillant, "The Aztecs of Mexico," Baltimore: Penguin, 1961.
S. K. Lothrop, "Robert Woods Bliss Collection of Pre-Columbian Art," NY: Phaidon, 1957, nos. 50-51.
G. Medioni and M-T. Pinto, "Art in Ancient Mexico," NY: Oxford University, 1941, nos. 230 and 234.
E. von Sydow, "Die Kunst der Naturwolker und der Vorzeit," Berlin: Propylain-Verlag, 1932, no. 19.
Adolphe Basler and Ernest Brummer, "L'Art Precolombien," Paris: Librairie de France, 1928, no. 79.
On View at the BMA
