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THBVeraguas Gold Pendant - Multi-Headed Turtle - 35.5 g
Lot 147c
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$18,000 - $25,000
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 21, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-02-21 10:00:00
2019-02-21 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-3858
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (472)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama or possibly Costa Rica, Veraguas culture, ca. 800 to 1500 CE. A large gold (86% pure, equivalent to 20K+) pendant, in the form of a raised, concave disc, its surface decorated with relief braids of gold in two bands across the center and forming a flat border around its edges. Extending from the sides, in flattened form, are four frog heads, each with two loops for suspension below them, and four crossed pairs of frog legs, giving the impression that the disc is covering four frog bodies struggling to escape. Size: 2.25" W x 2.15" H (5.7 cm x 5.5 cm); 35.5 grams
Toads and frogs are common iconography in the Pre-Columbian New World, where their tadpole-to-land-animal life cycle resulted in them becoming symbols of rebirth. Some toads were also known for their hallucinogenic secretions and toad remains are commonly found in tombs. Due to the life-giving properties of water, it seems likely that toads were also associated with fertility. These frogs may represent a shaman who harnessed the power of these animals.
The majority of gold items from ancient Central America were made to be worn, and the loops on the frog's heads of this piece give an idea of how it could be fastened. Columbus's expedition to the area - his last to the New World - included contact with the Veraguas, who, according to his records, wore them in life as well as embalming their dead and bedecking them in gold finery. He traveled with a local guide to the furthest west port of their territory, where he encountered twenty canoes manned by people wearing nothing but gold plates and a gold eagle. Fascinatingly, what most struck Columbus and his men was that these gold ornaments were worn by nearly everyone amongst the Veraguas - the leader was dressed like everyone else! Indeed, what most impressed Ferdinand Columbus, the explorer's son who had accompanied him on the mission, was the number of wives that the leader had, apparently the true indication of wealth in that society.
See a Veraguas frog pendant with a similar depiction of the animal here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=479016&partId=1&searchText=costa+rica+gold+frog&page=1
Provenance: ex-private West Palm Beach, Florida, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#144001Small casting flaw on one side of the central disc. Light encrustation on surface and slight bending to form but overall in excellent condition.Condition
- Shipping Info
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