Marble
University of Notre Dame
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Circular Plaque with Four Trophy Heads and Solar Motif

Date

1480-1536

Creator

Unrecorded Santa María artist

Location

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art

This exceptional lost-wax cast sculpture is one of only a few known examples in the world. It has loops cast onto its back to allow it to be attached to something or someone. There are four heads and a central design element that some have argued represents the sun. Such a design, four points with a central point, is common throughout the ancient Americas and often represents the four cardinal directions and the world center, serving as a cosmogram—a flat geometric depiction of the cosmos.

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This exceptional lost-wax cast sculpture is one of only a few known examples in the world. It has loops cast onto its back to allow it to be attached to something or someone. There are four heads and a central design element that some have argued represents the sun. Such a design, four points with a central point, is common throughout the ancient Americas and often represents the four cardinal directions and the world center, serving as a cosmogram—a flat geometric depiction of the cosmos.
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  • This exceptional lost-wax cast sculpture is one of only a few known examples in the world. It has loops cast onto its back to allow it to be attached to something or someone. There are four heads and a central design element that some have argued represents the sun. Such a design, four points with a central point, is common throughout the ancient Americas and often represents the four cardinal directions and the world center, serving as a cosmogram—a flat geometric depiction of the cosmos.
  • This exceptional lost-wax cast sculpture is one of only a few known examples in the world. It has loops cast onto its back to allow it to be attached to something or someone. There are four heads and a central design element that some have argued represents the sun. Such a design, four points with a central point, is common throughout the ancient Americas and often represents the four cardinal directions and the world center, serving as a cosmogram—a flat geometric depiction of the cosmos.
  • This exceptional lost-wax cast sculpture is one of only a few known examples in the world. It has loops cast onto its back to allow it to be attached to something or someone. There are four heads and a central design element that some have argued represents the sun. Such a design, four points with a central point, is common throughout the ancient Americas and often represents the four cardinal directions and the world center, serving as a cosmogram—a flat geometric depiction of the cosmos.
  • This exceptional lost-wax cast sculpture is one of only a few known examples in the world. It has loops cast onto its back to allow it to be attached to something or someone. There are four heads and a central design element that some have argued represents the sun. Such a design, four points with a central point, is common throughout the ancient Americas and often represents the four cardinal directions and the world center, serving as a cosmogram—a flat geometric depiction of the cosmos.
  • This exceptional lost-wax cast sculpture is one of only a few known examples in the world. It has loops cast onto its back to allow it to be attached to something or someone. There are four heads and a central design element that some have argued represents the sun. Such a design, four points with a central point, is common throughout the ancient Americas and often represents the four cardinal directions and the world center, serving as a cosmogram—a flat geometric depiction of the cosmos.
Unrecorded Santa María artist
1480-1536
Sculpture
Lost-wax cast copper alloy
2005.028
Raclin Murphy Museum: 205A
11 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 3/4 in. (29.21 x 29.21 x 1.91 cm)
Robert E., ND ’63 and Beverly, SMC ’63 O’Grady Fund

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at RMMACollections@nd.edu.