ceramic cats

Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association depict a Jaguar Warrior, recreating an image from Texcoco's late classic period. The man's face seems to emerge from the toothy jaws of the spotted cat. The Mexican artisans reveals their knowledge of the ancient Aztec civilization with this ceramic mask.

Depicted in the Florentine Codex as well as in historic paintings, the jaguar warrior comes to life in ceramic. Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association portray the warrior wearing the jaguar's paws on his hands as well as a mask that represents the fierce spotted cat. These fighting men formed one of the elite divisions of the Aztec army.

Like the Mexica, as the Aztecs called themselves, the people of Tlaxcala also had an elite infantry divided into Eagle and Jaguar Warriors. Working in ceramic, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association create an original mask of such a Jaguar Warrior, his headdress surrounding the face in fierce fangs. "This original mask is inspired by Tlahuicole, a renowned warrior," the artisans say.

The sculpted bust of a jaguar warrior unearthed in Texcoco inspires artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association in the creation of this sculpture. Ancient Aztecs believed the jaguar to be associated with the god of night, and to become a jaguar one had to capture at least four enemies. Jaguar warriors, or ocelopilli, were used to capture enemies to be sacrificed to the gods. They would wear jaguar fur and claws for they believed the items would make them stronger and braver. They fought with wooden swords studded with obsidian.