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The labret is dated to 1300–1521, reflecting the period of time in which the [[Aztecs]] flourished, and could be the output of either Aztec or Mixtec makers.[{{sfn|Meyer|1970|p=105}} It was made via [[lost-wax casting]] in three pieces.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}}][{{refn|group=note|For a description of lost-wax casting by Aztecs, see {{harvnb|Bray|1968|pp=131–132}}.}} The tongue was cast first, filed, and polished.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} Next, the head and neck piece were prepared for casting, with the finished tongue inserted into the core.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} The core was engraved, with the head and neck modeled in wax; comma-shaped marks in the metal show where the maker used a tool to press the wax into the core's grooves.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} The wax was likely then coated in a thin charcoal paste, known as {{lang|nci|teculatl}}.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=93–94, 104–105, 114–117}} This became the mould's lining, and ensured the gold cast was sharp and accurate.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=93–94, 104–105, 114–117}}] |
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The labret is dated to 1300–1521, reflecting the period of time in which the Aztecs flourished, and could be the output of either Aztec or Mixtec makers.[{{sfn|Meyer|1970|p=105}} It was made via [[lost-wax casting]] in three pieces.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}}][{{refn|group=note|For a description of lost-wax casting by Aztecs, see {{harvnb|Bray|1968|pp=131–132}}.}} The tongue was cast first, filed, and polished.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} Next, the head and neck piece were prepared for casting, with the finished tongue inserted into the core.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} The core was engraved, with the head and neck modeled in wax; comma-shaped marks in the metal show where the maker used a tool to press the wax into the core's grooves.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} The wax was likely then coated in a thin charcoal paste, known as {{lang|nci|teculatl}}.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=93–94, 104–105, 114–117}} This became the mould's lining, and ensured the gold cast was sharp and accurate.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=93–94, 104–105, 114–117}}] |
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During the casting of the second piece the already-cast tongue appears to have shifted, displacing the wax from the top of the [[maxilla|maxillary arch]].{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} Three holes {{convert|4|mm|abbr=on}} in diameter—one behind the neck, one below the jaw, one below the body—show where a material such as wood or [[Thorns, spines, and prickles|thorns]] was used to support the core.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} The second piece would then have been cleaned and polished.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} Finally, the second piece would have been fit to the core of the flanged base, and this third piece cast.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} |
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During the casting of the second piece the already-cast tongue appears to have shifted, displacing the wax from the top of the [[maxilla|maxillary arch]].{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} Three holes {{convert|4|mm|abbr=on}} in diameter—one behind the neck, one below the jaw, one below the body—show where a material such as wood or [[Thorns, spines, and prickles|thorns]] was used to support the core.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} The second piece would then have been cleaned and polished.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} Finally, the second piece would have been fit to the core of the flanged base, and this third piece cast.{{sfn|Easby|1955|pp=104–105, 114–117}} |
