GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Obsidian was used by the Mixtecs not only to make razor sharp instruments of death and sacrifice, but also was drilled and polished to produce delicate ornaments. Mixtec artisans excelled at lapidary work and were famous for their extraordinarily refined miniature carvings made in a variety of materials, creating objects of virtually perfect design and workmanship. Smaller decorative ornaments were part of the larger elaborate costume accoutrements for nobility—often worn on the face, forehead, and chest—and projected both elite status and supernatural power.
These obsidian ear spools are technical masterpieces, worked so thin that the black volcanic glass is transparent. Inserted through holes in the ear lobes, they could have been worn independently or threaded with dangling beads and feathers. Black obsidian was also an important trade good from the volcanic highlands, which would further indicate the luxury and status associated with such items carved from this precious material.
Adapted from
- Kathy Windrow, DMA unpublished material, 1992.
- DMA unpublished material, 2009.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
NOTES
- Mixtec, Late Postclassic period, 1300–1500, updated by KJones in TMS on 02/26/16.
- General Description drawn from: DMA unpublished material [TMS (1970.22.a-b), Notes/Curatorial Remarks, Kathy Windrow, September 1992]; DMA unpublished material [TMS (1985.150; 1985.151; 1985.152), Notes/Curatorial Remarks, Kathy Windrow, September 1992], DMA unpublished material [TMS (1985.150; 1985.151; 1985.152), Acquisition Justification, April 20, 2009].
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Mixtec: AAT: 300017180
obsidian (volcanic glass / pyroclastic rock): AAT: 300011254
carving: AAT: 300053149
incising: AAT: 300053847
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211
Historical periods
Postclassic (Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016987
Late Postclassic: AAT: 300134119
Individuals
Subject terms
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
ornaments: AAT: 300266794
ear ornaments: AAT: 300211279
earrings (jewelry): AAT: 300045998
earspools: AAT: 300209300
social status: AAT: 300065206
nobility (nobles / aristocracy): AAT: 300025942
rulers (people): AAT: 300025475
prestige: AAT: 300343604
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
power: AAT: 300374809
trade (function): AAT: 300061886
luxury (concept / condition): DMA
shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244
transparency (optical property): AAT: 300056220
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1970: Robert L. Huber, Milwaukee [1], [2]
From 1970: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, General Acquisitions Fund [1], [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance was existing provenance information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Catalogue Worksheet (dated July 16, 1981, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated December 07, 1970, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[4] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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VIDEO ASSETS
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FUN FACTS
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Apply to objects where number equals 1970.22.a-b
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General Description
Obsidian was used by the Mixtecs not only to make razor sharp instruments of death and sacrifice, but also was drilled and polished to produce delicate ornaments. Mixtec artisans excelled at lapidary work and were famous for their extraordinarily refined miniature carvings made in a variety of materials, creating objects of virtually perfect design and workmanship. Smaller decorative ornaments were part of the larger elaborate costume accoutrements for nobility—often worn on the face, forehead, and chest—and projected both elite status and supernatural power.
These obsidian ear spools are technical masterpieces, worked so thin that the black volcanic glass is transparent. Inserted through holes in the ear lobes, they could have been worn independently or threaded with dangling beads and feathers. Black obsidian was also an important trade good from the volcanic highlands, which would further indicate the luxury and status associated with such items carved from this precious material.
Adapted from
- Kathy Windrow, DMA unpublished material, 1992.
- DMA unpublished material, 2009.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- Mixtec, Late Postclassic period, 1300–1500, updated by KJones in TMS on 02/26/16.
- General Description drawn from: DMA unpublished material [TMS (1970.22.a-b), Notes/Curatorial Remarks, Kathy Windrow, September 1992]; DMA unpublished material [TMS (1985.150; 1985.151; 1985.152), Notes/Curatorial Remarks, Kathy Windrow, September 1992], DMA unpublished material [TMS (1985.150; 1985.151; 1985.152), Acquisition Justification, April 20, 2009].
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Mixtec: AAT: 300017180
obsidian (volcanic glass / pyroclastic rock): AAT: 300011254
carving: AAT: 300053149
incising: AAT: 300053847
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211
Historical periods
Postclassic (Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016987
Late Postclassic: AAT: 300134119
Individuals
Subject terms
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
ornaments: AAT: 300266794
ear ornaments: AAT: 300211279
earrings (jewelry): AAT: 300045998
earspools: AAT: 300209300
social status: AAT: 300065206
nobility (nobles / aristocracy): AAT: 300025942
rulers (people): AAT: 300025475
prestige: AAT: 300343604
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
power: AAT: 300374809
trade (function): AAT: 300061886
luxury (concept / condition): DMA
shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244
transparency (optical property): AAT: 300056220
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1970: Robert L. Huber, Milwaukee [1], [2]
From 1970: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, General Acquisitions Fund [1], [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance was existing provenance information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Catalogue Worksheet (dated July 16, 1981, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated December 07, 1970, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[4] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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object_notes_3_a-0717.xml.nores