Origin: India Circa: 100 BC to 200 AD Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Shunga Medium: Ivory

Origin: India Circa: 100 BC to 200 AD Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Shunga Medium: Ivory   « Less

The land of South Asia is blessed with an abundance of gemstones. Valued for their rarity and color, these stone have historically adorned both jewelry, art, and  More »

The land of South Asia is blessed with an abundance of gemstones. Valued for their rarity and color, these stone have historically adorned both jewelry, art, and architecture. Precious metals and gemstone were believed to be treasured by the gods, and the gods themselves almost always depicted in art adorned with luxurious jewelry. Both men and women alike decorated their bodies with jewel for both decorative and symbolic purposes. Gemstones were believe to channel the energy of nature and could thereby affect the fortunes of the wearer.Bangles are type of circular, non-flexible bracelet worn by married woman in India, specifically Hindu women, to signify matrimony. This large silver bangle flares outwards in the middle. The piece is composed of two halves that fit together. The exterior is adorned with a pattern that recalling the scales of a snake of fish. Due to its size and the inherent value of the material, we can assume that his bangle would have once been worn by a wealthy woman to signify to the public that she was married. - (CK.0106)   « Less

Origin: Bali Collection: Jewelry Style: Balinese Medium: Gold Condition: Extra Fine

Origin: Bali Collection: Jewelry Style: Balinese Medium: Gold Condition: Extra Fine   « Less

Pair of Fatimid Gold Earrings - SA.001, Origin: Egypt or Syria, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Pair of Fatimid Gold Earrings - SA.001, Origin: Egypt or Syria, Circa: 10 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Gold Ring Pendant Featuring Two Monkeys - FJ.6243, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide,  More »

Gold Ring Pendant Featuring Two Monkeys - FJ.6243, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide, Catalogue: V23, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. The fabulous imagery of Costa Rican gold jewelry is as marvelous as the artistry needed to create them. A myriad of animals from spiders to lobsters to purely mythical creatures adorn the variety of pendants and pectorals. Yet, few have the inimitable charm monkeys possess; and when they come in pairs, the pleasure is doubled! This lovely pendant is unique in its oval shape, which is powerful in its simplicity and delicately ornamented with S-shaped designs. The monkeys perched on this ring hold tightly onto a bar which is curved at the ends like a ceremonial staff. Wonderful abstract detail is blended with pure realism. Their arms are thin rods cleverly twisted in the pose monkeys adopt, ending in very finely modelled fingers. They each wear a sort of vertical head band, extending from the top of their heads joining with the eyebrows. The monkeys stare wide eyed in amazement as if seeing something incomprehensible and very astonishing. They appear to be riding the ring, as in fact they would have been while the pendant was pinned to its owner; who may have donned it for important ritual ceremonies. The jangling bead inside would have announced the approach of the person and his proud monkeys. This wonderful pendant possesses a delight and magical charm that is instantly endearing, and yet mystifying at the same time. Something extraordinary is going on here, and if we watch long enough, we too might go along with these clever characters into another realm. ....trudy..   « Less

Gold Pectoral of a Turtle Surrounded by a Ring Featuring Eight Small Turtles - FJ.6245, Origin: Costa , Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions:  More »

Gold Pectoral of a Turtle Surrounded by a Ring Featuring Eight Small Turtles - FJ.6245, Origin: Costa , Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide, Catalogue: V23, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. The main body of this pectoral is a very beautiful turtle. On its back is a simple and effective pattern comprising three slim bands which come down at an angle, then quickly twist into a neat circle, before shooting upwards to join a thick band at the center. This incised band continues straight to near the end, then curls in opposite directions. Appliqued beads line the upper portion of the shell, giving added texture. The turtle's head is very precisely delineated, with its mouth open exposing rows of teeth. Its eyes are wide open and alert; its nose has tiny pinprick holes for nostrils. On the outside ring there are eight small turtles, each one with their own attributes. They rest on a complex network of interlacing double strands surmounted by a series of small trapezoidal shapes. The little turtles seem as if they are sitting on lily pads or aquatic vegetation, surrounding their mother who holds onto their "flotation" with all her flippers. This pectoral was probably made for an important chief or shaman, (often one and the same), who wore it during ritual ceremonies. The rattle inside would jangle when moved, announcing the person's approach. Whether for ritual use or ornamentation, the appeal of this turtle is universal and instantaneous. It shines with a luminosity beyond the raw gold, lustrous and lovely as only a superb work of art can be.....trudy..   « Less

Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure Pendant - DK.024, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure Pendant - DK.024, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Guanacaste-Nicoya, Medium: Jade, Condition: Extra Fine.   « Less

Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure Pendant - DK.025, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian Art, Style:  More »

Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure Pendant - DK.025, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian Art, Style: Guanacaste-Nicoya, Medium: Jade, Condition: Extra Fine.   « Less

Tairona Tumbaga Pendant of an Jaguar with a Head for a Tail - FJ.2814, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 2.375" (6.0cm) depth, Catalogue: V10,  More »

Tairona Tumbaga Pendant of an Jaguar with a Head for a Tail - FJ.2814, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 2.375" (6.0cm) depth, Catalogue: V10, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Tairona, Medium: Tumbaga. This exquisite pendant--a superb example of the Tairona style--depicts a recumbant jaguar whose tail has become a fierce monster. When the Tairona culture was at its height, such jewels were strung with gold beads and emeralds and hung from the necks of chieftains, warriors, and beautiful women. Did such fantastic creatures--rare as the unicorn or chimera--reign as king in the jungles of ancient America? Or do they exist only in the golden depths of human imagination?   « Less

Chiriqui Gold Pendant of an Animal with a Curly Tail - FJ.2982, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) depth, Catalogue: V21, Collection:  More »

Chiriqui Gold Pendant of an Animal with a Curly Tail - FJ.2982, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) depth, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Chiriqui, Medium: Gold. The curly-tailed animal form was popular throughout a broad area of Central America. Sometimes these golden creatures take recognizable shape, as jaguars or crocodiles. In other instances, as here, they are simply fantastic mythological beasts. This radiant fellow has curling tongue and bared teeth, but he seems less inclined to frighten us than to charm us.   « Less