Urn Fragment

A.D. 550-900

Culture

Zapotec

Locale

Oaxaca

Country

Mexico

Object

urn, fragment

Medium

Earthenware

Accession Number

1977.186

Credit Line

Museum Purchase

Urn Fragment . A.D. 550-900. Earthenware. Museum Purchase. 1977.186.

Dimensions

height: 24 in, 60.9600 cm; width: 14.5 in, 36.8300 cm; depth: 7 in, 17.7800 cm

Department

Mayer Center, Arts of the Ancient Americas

Collection

Arts of the Ancient Americas

Cociyo (Rain God) Urn
Zapotec
About A.D. 500–900
Mexico, Oaxaca
Earthenware
Department acquisition funds, 1977.186

Urns in the form of deities, human beings, or animals were made for deposit in tombs or offering caches. Many portray Cociyo, the Zapotec god of lightening, thunder and rain. Cociyo is recognizable by his distinctive face with a forked tongue, and by the rain glyph in his headdress. Typical costume elements include a loincloth, a cape, and large ear ornaments.

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