Crocodile Rattle in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 2018

Crocodile Rattle
8th century


Object Details

Date: 8th century

Geography: Mexico, Mesoamerica

Culture: Maya

Medium: Ceramic

Dimensions: H. 2 x W. 3 3/8 x D. 7 3/8 in. (5.1 x 8.5 x 18.7cm)

Classification: Ceramics-Musical Instruments

Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979

Accession Number: 1979.206.1143


This zoomorphic ceramic figure has been hand-modeled into the form of a crocodile. It functions as both a whistle—air holes appear in front of the animal's rear legs on its underside, and an air vent is found underneath its neck—and a rattle—clay pellets are inside the front half of the figure.

The crocodile has raised eyelids projecting from atop its long, upturned snout with round nostrils and three triangular teeth projecting horizontally from each side of his mouth. Flopped and flaring dog-like ears project from back sides of the head behind the eyes. Its short, squat legs splay out from the underside of the body. On the two forelegs, toes have been delineated through notched and incised detail. The long, flat, wide tail features triangular notches replicating the zigzag pattern of a crocodilian tail.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313335