Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Jaguar/Frog Composite Creature - FJ.6057, Origin: Costa , Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. A wonderfully mystical hybrid creature graces the top of this gold bell pendant. It combines the features of a frog and a feline. The head and tail resembles that of a feline and the hind legs indicate that of an arboreal frog. The long, thin legs with toes terminating in suckers are delicately holding onto the edge of the bell. The suckers enable arboreal frogs to climb trees. Applied gold eyes and little ears project out from behind the wide frog-like mouth with an applied gold jaguar nose. The curly tail represents the stylized jaguar tail. We cannot easily interpret its symbolic importance, but we do believe that frogs were associated with fertility rituals and jaguars were associated with royal ceremonies. Their mythic roles involved supernatural or extraordinary traits. This gold masterpiece which silently shimmers in all its glory and mystery before us is undoubtedly an exceptional work of art. It combines the powerful forces of artistic ingenuity with mythical imagery.

Antiquities
Ancient Jewelry