Architectural Model
Unknown Artist
1st–8th century
Medium
Stone
Dimensions
H. 6 1/4 x W. 4 3/4 in. (15.9 x 12.1 cm)
Classification
Stone-Sculpture
Culture
Mezcala
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Arthur M. Bullowa, 1993
Accession Number
1994.35.648
Tags
About this artwork
This stone-sculpture from Mezcala, Mesoamerica, dating to 1st–8th century, provides valuable insight into the artistic practices and material culture of its era. Carved from stone, this sculptural work demonstrates the demanding art of stone carving. Working in stone required specialized tools, physical strength, and acute spatial intelligence to transform hard, unyielding material into expressive three-dimensional form. Stone's permanence made it ideal for works intended to endure, from archite...