Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama or Costa Rica, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. An 18 karat gold pendant cast via the lost wax process with an open back, depicting a proud shaman figure highly decorated with a horned or feathered headdress and large spiraled ear ornaments. Staring ahead with an impassioned expression, his visage comprised of bulging eyes, a straight nose, and substantive pursed lips is quite expressive. The abstract nature of his physiognomy is wonderful with that overall angular form, delineated genitalia, stylized hands - each with four delineated fingers, and each foot with four toes. Suspension loop behind the neck. Size: 1" W x 1.75" H (2.5 cm x 4.4 cm) Weight: 13 grams

Gold became the preferred material for creating meaningful ornaments sometime after 500 CE, replacing jadeite and other green stones from which artists had made impressive jewelry for centuries. Recent scholarship indicates that the sudden appearance of gold and expert knowledge required to work it indicate the introduction of metallurgy from outside the region, most likely northwestern Columbia.

Provenance: private Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA, acquired over the last twenty years

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#127180

Only minor casting flaws and normal encrustation to recessed areas. Overall excellent.