2-579-860 - © CM Dixon/Heritage Images

Turquoise mosaic of a double-headed serpent, Aztec/Mixtec, Mexico, 15th-16th century. It is carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic. This was probably worn on ceremonial occasions as a pectoral (an ornament worn on the chest). The serpent is associated with many gods including Coatlicue (She of the Serpent Skirt), the mother of the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli. From the British Museum.