The Turquoise Mosaics: shield
- Gallery: Room 27
- Culture: Aztec; Mixtec
- Made in: Mexico
- Date: 1400 - 1521
- Object type: shield, religious/ritual equipment, disc
- Materials: turquoise; gold (?); metal (?); pine wood; resin; conch shell; oyster shell; mother-of-pearl
- Museum number: Am,St.397.a
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
In front of you is a stunning Aztec shield, rich with color and intricate design. This circular object is made from pine wood, covered with a mosaic of turquoise and three kinds of shell—conch, thorny oyster, and mother-of-pearl. Some areas are enhanced with gilded resin relief, adding depth and texture to the overall image.
The mosaic shows the Aztec view of the universe. A central solar disc, with four rays, marks the heart of the design. Around it are four sky-bearers, each in a quarter of the shield, created from mother-of-pearl and shell. Their detailed eyes and ornaments reflect the importance of celestial beings in Aztec belief.
Look closely, and you’ll see a serpent curling upward, with a coiled tail and plumed body. At the top is a flowering tree, symbolizing the world axis, and an anthropomorphic mask, hinting at divine power and kingship. Tiny gold foil studs, some still intact, highlight the serpent's form and add a shimmering effect.
This shield is not only a masterpiece of craftsmanship but also a symbol of ceremonial and spiritual life in the Aztec world.
See it in person
The Turquoise Mosaics: shield is on display in Room 27 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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