Pre-Columbian Art / Diquis Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Bird - FJ.6314, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Diquis, Medium: Gold. For centuries master goldsmiths of Costa Rica passed on their skills from one generation to the next, making certain both style and high quality were preserved. The style of Diquis gold jewelry continues to intrigue scholars and delight collectors. It is a unique combination of elaborate abstraction and realism, blended with images of apparently religious meaning. The indigenous wild life of the rain forest were frequent subjects for jewelry, either for their ritualistic significance (such as the jaguar), or simply for their natural beauty. Avian (bird) pendants are frequent since they were seen as a creature of this world, yet able to fly beyond it, as shamans (sorcerers) were reputed to be able to do. This delightful bell pendant has a charming bird (perhaps a parrot) sitting on top. He is arched as if about to take off, his wings pulled back in a beautiful curve nearly touching the perky tail. Birds were greatly admired in ancient Costa Rica, as were pendants used as bells, here combined in a work of art which has its own music like a wild bird of the jungle.

Antiquities
Ancient Jewelry