Head of Xilonen, the Goddess of Young Maize
Mexica (Aztec) · 1400–1500 · Art Institute of Chicago
What did you think?
Guide
Adjust the guideNew to it · Medium
Nobody has listened to this guide yet. Making it takes about twenty seconds, and after that anyone can hear it straight away.
From the museum
This sculptural fragment represents Xilonen, the youthful Aztec (Mexica) goddess of new maize (corn), who embodies concepts of fertility and renewal. Two large ears of maize rise from her floral headband, with long tassels flowing down her back. In July the Aztecs held a spectacular agricultural festival in Xilonen’s honor to celebrate the first fruits of the summer season. During this ritual ceremony, a young girl impersonated the goddess, dancing to bring forth an abundant harvest. The name Xilonen was Hispanicized in Mexico as elote, meaning “fresh, tender ear of corn.”
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC BY 4.0
Ask about this work
Ask in your own words. The answer comes from what the museum has written about the work, and says so when that does not hold it.
Details
- Maker
- Aztec (Mexica), Tenochtitlan, Mexico
- Date
- 1400–1500
- Medium
- Basalt
- Dimensions
- 32.4 × 20.3 × 12.1 cm (12 3/4 × 8 × 4 3/4 in.)
- Place of origin
- Tenochtitlan
- Held by
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · Not on view
- Credit line
- African and Amerindian Art Purchase Fund
Image: Art Institute of Chicago, CC0
