Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Seated Male with Trophy Heads
(Ancient Americas )
Two trophy heads are strung on the cords that criss-cross this man’s chest. His horned headdress suggests that he is a shaman or ruler. Shamans were respected not just for their abilities to communicate with the spiritual world but also for their prowess as great warriors. This man demonstrates his own military success by displaying the heads he has captured.
During shamanistic rituals of communing with the gods, religious men would drink hallucinogenic beverages. Such an intoxicating libation might be in the cup this figure is holding to his mouth.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Michael Robins; acquired by John G. Bourne; given to Walters Art Museum, 2009.
Exhibitions
| 2018 | Crowning Glory: Art of the Americas. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2012-2013 | Exploring Art of the Ancient Americas: The John Bourne Collection Gift. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. |
| 1998-2008 | Art of Ancient America, 1500 B.C.-1400 A.D.. Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe. |
Geographies
Mexico (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 17 3/16 x W: 9 13/16 x D: 10 11/16 in. (43.6 x 25 x 27.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of John Bourne, 2009
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
2009.20.10