Gold Pendant of a Shaman Surrounded by Serpent Heads - FJ.6151, Origin: Costa Rica/Panama, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high, Catalogue: V22,  More »

Gold Pendant of a Shaman Surrounded by Serpent Heads - FJ.6151, Origin: Costa Rica/Panama, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Costa Rican, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Crab - FJ.6155, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) wide, Catalogue: V21, Collection:  More »

Gold Pendant of a Crab - FJ.6155, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) wide, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. Though each of the major regions of Costa Rica manufactured gold objects, the area of Diquis in the southern portion near Panama, produced the most distinctive and abundant works of art in gold. In the conquistador's journals mention is made of the fact that each community in Diquis owned a stretch of river where inhabitants panned for gold and retained their own expert craftsmen. The Spaniards were even more surprised to learn that in the villager of Coctu, the chief himself was a goldsmith specializing in animal figures and breastplates. Of all artistic trends and styles the gold of Costa Rica represents some of the most fascinating and unique objects ever created. This delightful pendant is so lovely and delicate it is almost poignant. Through the most precious of materials this crab comes alive with movement and character. He holds pellets in his claws which he is about to eat. The body, though very realistic, is done in an abstract fashion, seen particularly in the swirling bands circling the shell. This shows remarkable finesse and freedom of imagination, combined with the extraordinary skills of a master goldsmith. The rich gold of this beautiful pendant glistens and sparkles, as if the crab is crawling along a shallow pool, catching the sun's rays in brilliant gleams of light and color.   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Double-Headed Spider - FJ.6217, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide,  More »

Gold Pendant of a Double-Headed Spider - FJ.6217, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide, Catalogue: V23, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Diquis Gold Pendant of a Jaguar Deity - FJ.6273, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 5.1" (13.0cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide,  More »

Diquis Gold Pendant of a Jaguar Deity - FJ.6273, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 5.1" (13.0cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Diquis, Medium: Gold. The central figure of this fantastic pendant is supporting and is supported by an elaborate frame with curved top and bottom typical of Diquis style. The ornamentation is composed of mythical heads of beasts, like sea monsters or sytlized crocodiles, with exposed teeth and wonderful scrolls and spirals representing flowing hair or even alligator scutes. The figure itself wears a beautiful jaguar mask, very fierce in expression and clearly indicated as a mask by a thick edge around the sides. A unique feature is a second, larger mask on his chest which is part of his costume, revealing a face quite human in appearance. There seems to be visual puns going on, with an interchange between man and animal, one becoming the other instantaneously, as shamans were reputed to be able to do. This pendant may well represent an actual shaman involved in a ritual ceremony, perhaps related to fertility rites suggested by the fact his penis is the shape of a snake head, a symbol of sexuality. In this pendant there are many things going on at once--spectacle, pageantry and drama of an ancient character full of mystery potent as the sun.   « Less

Diquis Gold Pendant Featuring Two Frogs on the Backs of Two Larger Frogs - FJ.6275, Origin: Costa , Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3"  More »

Diquis Gold Pendant Featuring Two Frogs on the Backs of Two Larger Frogs - FJ.6275, Origin: Costa , Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Diquis, Medium: Gold. Amphibian animals were favorite subjects of Diquis goldsmiths. The frog is one of the most frequently depicted, but its deep symbolic meaning is lost in the mists of the past. However, it is possible to speculate on certain aspects by combining facts of nature with known mythilogical symbols. This extraordinary pendant actually depicts four frogs. The larger two are highly abstract and comprise the base, with their bulbous bodies and wonderful trapezoidal feet. Springing from their mouths are two elaborate snakes with dual heads jointed at the center and extending on the ends. Snakes were regarded as potent symbols of sexuality and fertility. The second pair of frogs are much smaller and more easily recognizable. Their realistic heads serve as the heads of the larger frogs. These twin frogs on top may be the male of the species copulating with the much larger female. As in other pendants, the marvelously clever Diquis artists gave deference to artistry as opposed to strict realism, especially seen in the flamboyant curved feet of the small frogs. This pendant was meant to be worn, and proclaimed its arrival by the rattling of solid gold nuggets in the bell shaped bodies. When fine artistry and brilliant gold come together, they are enough to announce the presence of something spectacular.....trudy..   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Snake with a Split Body - FJ.6322, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide,  More »

Gold Pendant of a Snake with a Split Body - FJ.6322, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. The snake is one of the most potent forces in nature. An almost mythical creature, it is feared for its speed and cunning, respected for its beauty; worshiped in many cultures around the world as a bringer of death and intermediary of spirits. The Bribri people of Costa Rica believe snakes represent danger; viewed as bows and arrows of evil spirits, and their bite seen as demonic. Therefore, the handling of poisonous snakes with impunity was regarded as an act of spiritual power. The head of this fabulous snake pendant is the focal point of its strength, beautifully formed and graphically displaying sharp fangs. The main body separates at the end into two smaller snakes which twist upwards around the larger head. Each of the small heads have a band around the neck, a feature found on other gold jewelry. Double rows of triangles inside the curve of each section of the body gives it texture and continues the 'fang' image. Since warriors wore gold into battle, perhaps this pendant was intended to inspire fear. Today, however, its effect is one of excitement, mystery and sheer beauty.   « Less

Carbonera Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing a Double-Headed Saurian Mask - FJ.6422, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.5"  More »

Carbonera Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing a Double-Headed Saurian Mask - FJ.6422, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Carbonera, Medium: Gold. The central figure is surrounded by a braided rope-like border with four scrolls on each side. Beautifully modeled double crocodile heads face in opposite directions, a braided rope is tethered from the mouths to the chests, attached to the breastplate by a snake-head ornament similar to the one over the groin area. The figure's knees are bent, his feet have six toes made of twisted wire, trapezoidal hands grip tightly to the surrounding border. Extending from the ankles and waist are two pairs of stylized crocodile heads, composed of open work filigree for the mouths, tiny eyes and inverted triangles suggesting scuds. Though gold was abundant in ancient Costa Rica, the highly skilled artists needed to create work of arts as this one were not plentiful. Such objects were made for the ruling elite, either as symbols of prestige, of status or simply as ornamentation. This pendant probably served a shaman-priest who used the crocodile as a symbol for physical strength and otherworldly power. It is quite probable great shamans wore such costumes as depicted on this fabulous pendant in elaborate ritual ceremonies.   « Less

Gold Sculpture of a Musician Holding Two Rattles - FJ.6423, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high, Collection:  More »

Gold Sculpture of a Musician Holding Two Rattles - FJ.6423, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Costa Rican, Medium: Gold. Standing naked the figure holds a calabash rattle in each hand. He wears double earspools connected to an arching headdress, fanning out on either side of the head, curled at the ends and ornamented with a series of thick 'spokes' along the outer rim. His coiled necklace is composed of plane rings, while those around his knees and ankles are striated. Most elaborate are the scrolls decorating the back of the head, middle of the back and down the legs. These represent either decorative clothing, body painting or even scarification. The musician's face is very finely modeled, showing expressive detail with eyes closed as if absorbed in the music around him. This figure most likely represents a musician as he would have appeared during ritual ceremonies.   « Less

Jalisco Bowl Supported by a Recumbant Man - PF.0284, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 10" (25.4cm) wide, Catalogue: V2,  More »

Jalisco Bowl Supported by a Recumbant Man - PF.0284, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 10" (25.4cm) wide, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Jalisco, Medium: Terracotta. Such a bowl was buried in an ancient shaft tomb and used to hold an offering of food or incense for the deceased. The human figure curled up in an almost fetal position who supports the vessel may in fact represent the dead. We are touched by this ancient gift, a token from the world of the living to ensure that eternity was not without its comforts. A rare and stunning example of ancient Meso-American ceramic art.   « Less

Olmec Fantastic Creature - PF.0329, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 400 BC, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmec Fantastic Creature - PF.0329, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 400 BC, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less