Tzinacantecuhtli Xayactli, Bat Lord Mask, Zapoteca, Oaxaca, Traditional Mexica (Aztec) Ceramic, shop Ritual

One of the finest pieces of Mesoamerican art was crafted by the Zapotec culture, who lived South-West Mexico, in what is nowadays the state of Oaxaca. It was found as part of the funerary offerings that accompanied one of the Zapotec lords in shop Monte Albán or Gande Bedxe Dani, the Mount of Twenty Tigers, their capital. Though little is known about the precious jade mask of the Bat Lord (not even its original Zapotec name), it captivates te attention and imagination of whoever studies Mesoamerican art and history.