Head of a Statue

Zapotecs, 600-900 AD

Oaxaka Valley (?)

Terracotta

Culture Museum, Oaxaka

This is a fragment of the big hollow terracotta statue of a high-ranking dignitary. He wears a pectoral and nose decoration. The hairdo is very original, made to the left in the form of a comb. A thick cord passes around the back of the head and along the left cheek and ends under the chin. Probably the cord initially passed round the face but was damaged over the right ear. This terracotta statue may depict a ruler or some high-ranking dignitary taken captive.