Turquois mosaic art in ancient Mexico

This early 20th-century study examines one of the most striking art forms to emerge from ancient Mesoamerica: the turquoise mosaic. Saville, a pioneering figure in pre-Columbian archaeology, documents the extraordinary techniques and cultural weight of this brilliant craft practiced primarily by Aztec and Mixtec artisans. The book reveals how these craftsmen transformed modest bits of turquoise (and other stones, shells, and bone) into breathtaking ceremonial objects, masks, and ritual implements that shimmered with religious and political power. Beyond mere technical description, Saville situates this artistry within the broader context of indigenous Mexican civilization, exploring how the intense blue-green hue held profound cosmological meaning. For anyone drawn to the material culture of the Americas before Columbus, this remains a foundational text that illuminates a tradition of breathtaking skill and spiritual depth.