Description

Reprint Edition of 1947 Edition. Originally published in Spanish, with accompanying English text, in 1947 as Sellos del Antiguo Mexico. Here is an unusual collection of pictorial material - 766 primitive designs. Contains 153 leaves of illustrations with 766 illustrations. The book reproduces plumed serpents, calendrical elements, wind gods, insects, toads, lizards, birds, real and mythological animals, flowers, demons, the human head and figure, and hundreds of abstract ornamental designs derived from carved seals of the Aztec, Maya, Totonac, Zapotec, Olmec, Toltec, and other early Mexican cultures.

Contents: Geometric motifs. Zigzags; Triangles; Squares; Circles; Spirals; Steps; Stepped-fret patterns; Crosses; Various geometric motifs -- Natural forms-Flora. Flowers; Vegetables; Blue worm; Shells; Spiders and various insects; Butterflies; Fishes; Toads, frogs; Lizards; Serpents; Plumed serpents; Fire serpents; Flint serpents; Fantastic serpents; Alligators; Buzzards; Owls; Eagles; Hummingbirds; Pheasants; Aquatic birds; Quetzals; Various unidentified birds; Fantastic birds; Deer; Dogs, wolves (coyotes); Jaguars, pumas; Various and unidentified mammals; Monkeys; Fantastic animals -- The human body. Human figures; Heads and deities; Skulls; Hands; Fantastic human figures -- Artificial forms. Twists and braids; Rattles; 'Patolli'; Movement; Decorations related to architecture; Trophies; Emblems; Decorations of chronological significance.