Detail View: JCB Archive of Early American Images: Vitzilipuztli, the Principal Idol of the Mexicans.
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Accession number:
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07324b
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Record number:
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07324b-4
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JCB call number:
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B725 H564g
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Image title:
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Vitzilipuztli, the Principal Idol of the Mexicans.
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Place image published:
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[London]
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Image publisher:
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[Jeremiah Batley]
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Image date:
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[1725]
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Image function:
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fold-out plate; vol. 2, following p. 374
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Technique:
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engraving
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Image dimension height:
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16.3 cm. (platemark)
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Image dimension width:
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21.4 cm. (platemark)
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Page dimension height:
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19.2 cm.
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Page dimension width:
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23.3 cm.
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Materials medium:
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ink
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Materials support:
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paper
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Languages:
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English
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Description:
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Religious rites of native Americans. Priests flagellate themselves with rope, pierce their feet with nails, and offer incense to an idol who holds arrows in one hand and a religious object or shield with five feathers on it in the other. Also includes skulls and bones.
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Source creator:
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Herrera y Tordesillas, Antonio de, d. 1625
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Source Title:
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[Historia general de los hechos de los castellanos. English] The general history of the vast continent and islands of America, commonly call'd the West-Indies ... Vol. II
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Source place of publication:
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London
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Source publisher:
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Printed for Jer. Batley at the Dove in Pater-noster-row
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Source date:
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M.DCC.XXV. [1725]
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notes:
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Priests (tlamacazqui or keepers of the gods) of Mexico would flagellate themselves, pierce their feet with thorns, or beat each other with stones to atone for the sins of the common people. They would play musical instruments such as horns, use incense, and wash their idol in blood. Here the god referred to is Huitzilopochtli whose name means "Blue hummingbird on the left" and who was the Aztec god of the sun and war. A turquoise or fire serpent (xiuhcoatl) was his mystical weapon. This work is derived from Theodor de Bry's America. Pt. 9, plate 7.
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Time Period:
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1701-1750
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Provenance/Donor:
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Acquired circa 1916.
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Owner and copyright:
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©John Carter Brown Library, Box 1894, Brown University, Providence, R.I. 02912
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geographic area:
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Spanish America
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Subject Area:
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Artifacts, industry, and human activities
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Subject Area:
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Indigenous peoples
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Subject headings:
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Aztecs--Religion
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Subject headings:
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Indians of Mexico--Rites and ceremonies
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