Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama, Diquis, ca. 500 to 1200 CE. A wonderful tumbaga - gold copper alloy - pendant in the form of a nude male shaman in an ecstatic moment with serpents extending from his headdress, held in his hands, and slithering up his legs. Standing atop thick legs and webbed feet, the evocative figure gazes out from bulging eyes above a broad nose and huge, downturned mouth held open to expose 2 rows of widely-spaced teeth. His tumi-shaped headdress is flanked by slithering snakes, elaborate openwork decoration, and coiled earspools. Both his arms and legs are spread, displaying his prominent nipples and delineated genitalia. A suspension loop on the verso allows this piece to be worn as a pendant. Size: 3" W x 4.9" H (7.6 cm x 12.4 cm); metal quality: 53% copper, 41% gold, 3.194% silver; weight: 72.8 grams
Pre-Columbian art is well-known for its impressive goldworks. Gold became the preferred material for creating fashionable ornaments sometime after 500 CE replacing jadeite and other green stones from which artists had made impressive jewelry for centuries. Indeed, the ancient cultures of the New World created countless gold ornaments and ceremonial objects. Unfortunately, the Spanish conquistadors melted nearly all of these to convert them to gold bars and coins for Spain. Due to this, surviving genuine pre-Columbian gold is rare and highly coveted by collectors.
Provenance: private Southbend collection, Indiana, USA, inherited from a friend, acquired before 2010
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#178632
Condition
Some chipping to peripheries and loss to one side of tongue on one serpent. Some light bending, and nicks and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining detail and rich patina and encrustations throughout.