MP015 Vintage Matilde Poulat Matl sterling silver and turquoise pin / brooch; circa-1934 to 1940
Origin: Taxco, Mexico
Dimensions: approximately 2” x 1.88”; 18.7 gm
Condition: Excellent
Provenance: Consignment
Price: $850.00

Two coral-eyed quetzals, a bird prized for its spectacular tail feathers in pre-Conquest days, crown a snake-handled urn and beaded half moon atop seven dangles set with brilliant blue turquoise. The Aztecs and Maya revered the quetzal as the “god of the air,” a creator god and a symbol of goodness and light. The ancient rulers symbolically connected themselves to Quetzalcoatl by wearing headdresses made from iridescent quetzal tail feathers plucked from living birds, which were then set free. A quetzal was the nahual or spirit guide of Tecun Uman, a legendary Maya prince and hero during the latter days of the Conquest. One legend claims that the quetzal used to sing beautifully before the Spanish Conquest, but it has been silent since; it will sing once again only when the land is truly free. This enchanting and colorful brooch joyfully celebrates the artistic soul and eternal free spirit.