Gold Pendant of a Crocodile-Headed Jaguar - PF.4081, Origin: Central Highlands of Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. Though the creature is a mythical character, it plays a large role in the art of ancient Central America. This particular pendant demonstrates the perfection involved in the creation of such works of art. The pendant is a hollow piece of gold, sculpted with great precision and care. The artist paid close attention to detail, to bring the piece to life. The body is strong, solid and lean, while the head is extremely ornate. The top of the head demonstrates the strong and scaled head of the crocodile. Its nose curls upwards while the mouth grins, bearing the sharp and vicious teeth of a crocodile or jaguar. To add a touch of realism and maybe even humor, the artist has added a small animal in between the jaws of the creature, demonstrating the ferocity of the creature. Such beautiful pieces, allow us to look into the lifestyle of the past communities as well as see the style that was appreciated at the time. Trade brought in a plethora of items from all over the area, thus making this era a true conglomeration of styles and ideas.

Antiquities
Ancient Jewelry