Tlatoani (Nagual Xoloitzcuincle)

Wood carving: Isaías Jiménez Hernández
Textiles: Crispina Navarro Gómez
Plumage: Iván Cruz López
Silversmithing: Arturo Salgado

Description

The ruler of the last Aztec empire is represented in this work in the form of a Xoloitzcuincle, a breed of hairless dog from the Americas. The figure grasps a femur in its hand, a symbol used to physically demonstrate the transfer of power between leaders in Mesoamerica. Man’s best friend is here depicted assisting his people in life, as their final ruler, but as also guiding them to the afterlife.