Gold Pendant of Twin Crocodile/Jaguar Composite Creatures - PF.4045, Origin: Panama, Circa: 700 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 1.125" (2.9cm) high x 2.125" (5.4cm) depth, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. Shimmering as brilliant as the afternoon sun, this gold pendant is an important treasure from the Panamanian past. Brought to us today, it is as mysterious as it is beautiful. Ancient artists excelled in creating exceptional gold work before the time of the Conquest. The gold work which has been left intact and not melted by the Conquistadors is priceless and rare. This gold Zoomorphic pendant may convey diverse kinds of information. It may represent human social, natural or supernatural aspects of the society. Clearly, the animal motif is "twinned" or joined, but what animals are represented here? The long, flat snout with prominent nostrils and rows of sharp teeth most probably represent the crocodile. Although the head may be crocodilian, the hind legs can be indetified as belonging to the jaguar. The tails terminate into large, flat almost paddle-like shapes, perhaps referring to an aquatic animal. The symmetry and elegant flow of the two creatures side by side undoubtedly deserves our utmost admiration and appreciation for the ancient artist who so diligently mastedred the art of gold work.

Antiquities
Ancient Jewelry