I recently acquired a small Aztec rattle figure representing Xochiquestsal or Cihuacóatl which has a inscription on the found near Mexico city in the early 20th century, a fascinating artifact.
I noticed that this type of fertility rattle figure is found a variety of different variations such as holding one or two children with variations in headdress and clothing and often attributed to several different Aztec deity’s. Although its not a particularly rare type of artifact in terms of being represented in Museum collections, it is not seen that often in private collections pre columbian auction sales or in dealers inventory. It has been postulated that these figures were commonly used by the Aztecs in their homes for private veneration or ceremonial use associated with healing and childbirth ,
Xochiquetzal (Quetzal Flower or feathered flower), Tetetoinnan (“Our Mother” after whom many goddesses of fertility were named).
Rattle in the form of fertility goddess Cihuacoatl Princeton museum object #y1944-26
