Vessel in the Form of a Circular Pyramid

Four sets of stairs ascend from the base to the summit of this pyramid model. Placed at equal intervals, the staircases designate the cardinal directions of north, south, east, and west and represent the earthly domain. The opening of the vessel mimics a temple platform and references the axis mundi, a concept expressing the point of connection between sky and earth where the four directions meet.

Throughout Mesoamerica, communities invested heavily in the construction of public structures, most notably wide plazas and pyramids. Models such as this one convey ideas about the symbolic significance of architecture, rather than serve as scale replicas of specific structures. Round structures are strongly connected with the cultures of West Mexico and were probably the focus of community rituals.