Arm Band
Unknown Artist
10th–13th century
Medium
Shell
Dimensions
H. 2 3/8 x W. 5 5/8 x D. 4 7/16 in. (6.1 x 14.3 x 11.2 cm)
Classification
Shell-Ornaments
Culture
Huastec
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
Accession Number
1979.206.929
Art Historical Context
This exquisite arm band, crafted by an unknown Huastec artist between the 10th and 13th centuries, hails from the ancient Huastec culture along Mexico's Gulf Coast. Theastec people, a Mesoamerican group known for their distinctive artistic traditions, created such ornaments as symbols of status, identity, and spiritual connection. Worn on the upper arm, this piece would have adorned elite individuals during ceremonies or daily life, reflecting the society's emphasis on personal adornment and craftsmanship. Carved entirely from shell—a material abundant in their coastal environment—the arm ban...