Turquoise Mosaics from Mexico

The turquoise mosaics explored in this book are some of the most striking objects from the Museum's Ethnographic collection. Originating from the Aztec civilisation and first encountered by Europeans during the Spanish conquest of 1519, these objects are more than simply things of beauty. Among them are masks, shields, helmets and knives, each with particular uses during ritual and performance. Recent scientific investigation has identified the materials that comprise the mosaics, the technical skills required by those who made them and even the places where the turquoise was mined. The book explains the techniques used by the scientists and combines this new information with fascinating historical sources noting, for example, the response to the mosaics in the court of Charles V. Overall, the book will give an up-to-date introduction to these mysterious objects.