The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 20, 2025

Stylized, chipped orange painted ceramic figurine of a larger figure, holding a smaller figure, by the waist and facing out, in front of their hips. Both have a band bent over the top of their heads, circles like earrings, and small breasts, although the larger figure's has broken off before it is tied off at the top of the head. The small figure holds their hands up by the shoulders, a wrap around their waist.

Mother-and-Child Figurine

1325–1521

Mexico, Aztec

Ceramic, pigment
Overall: 12.2 cm (4 13/16 in.)
Gift of Edward B. Greene 1921.1711
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

This mother-and-child figurine may be a metaphor for generational continuity.

Description

The hair of this hollow, mold-made, female figurine was originally arranged in two projections atop the head. She carries an identical, small figure interpreted as a child; the figurine may be a metaphor for generational continuity.
  • Mentioned and reproduced: p. 12, fig. 12
  • Creation, Birth, and Rebirth. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 17, 2024-July 16, 2025).
    Stories from Storage. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 7-May 16, 2021).
  • {{cite web|title=Mother-and-Child Figurine|url=false|author=|year=1325–1521|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.1711