Gold Pendant of a Frog with a Double Headed Snake in its Mouth - FJ.6053, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border , Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Catalogue: V21, Collection:  More »

Gold Pendant of a Frog with a Double Headed Snake in its Mouth - FJ.6053, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border , Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. This wonderfully playful frog looks as though it is about to spring forward onto an invisible tree branch. The long, thin legs are bent and ready to leap. The toes which would generally be depicted as suckers have been stylized into flat rectangles of flattened gold. The suckers enable arboreal frogs to climb trees. The large, gold eyes were applied and encircled by a thin line of gold. The elegant filigree ornamentation which flows forth from either side of the frog's mouth most probably depicts serpents. The rhythmic swirling effect of the serpents' flowing bodies balances out the bold geometric design of the lower half of the frog's body. We cannot easily interpret its symbolic importance, but we do believe that frogs and serpents were associated with fertility rituals. Their mythical roles involved supernatural or extraordinary traits. This miniature gold masterpiece which silently shimmers in all its glory and mystery before us is undoubtedly an exceptional work of art.   « Less

Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Harpy Eagle - FJ.6055, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high, Collection:  More »

Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Harpy Eagle - FJ.6055, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. A wonderfully realistic harpy eagle graces the top of this gold bell pendant. Two bulbous eyes of applied gold stare out at us on either side of the enormous beak. The "all-seeing eyes" of the harpy eagle were desired by all shamans who wished to possess the quality of omnipotence. A strong, hooked beak and remarkably powerful claws exemplify the magnitude of force the bird contains. The harpy eagle is the most powerful eagle in the world and is found only in the South of Mexico, Central America, South America and Costa Rica. The rounded wings and long tail create an illunsion of a cape fit for a king. We cannot easily interpret its symbolic importance, but we do believe that harpy eagles were associated with the highest-ranking members of society. 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.   « Less

Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Frog - FJ.6056, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.125" (2.9cm) high,  More »

Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Frog - FJ.6056, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.125" (2.9cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. A wonderfully realistic frog graces the top of this gold bell pendant. 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. The ornamentation on the sides of the mouth may represent the frog's tongue. The large, gold eyes were applied and encircled with a thin line of gold. We cannot easily interpret its symbolic importance, but we do believe that frogs were associated with fertility rituals. 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.   « Less

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,  More »

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.   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Shaman - FJ.6152, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high, Catalogue: V21, Collection:  More »

Gold Pendant of a Shaman - FJ.6152, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. The shaman, cast in glorious gold, stands before us majestically. He appears to be wearing an elaborate ritual costume with headdress, belt and skirt. By the tense expression on his face, we may assume that he is connecting with his "alter-ego" or higher spirit through transformation. By taking hallucinogenic drugs, the shaman was able to communicate with the supernatural and actually become one with these forces and energies. Thus, the shaman had an exalted leadership status amongst the ordinary natives in the society. The beautiful and unusual frame which surrounds the shaman is clearly of importance, yet we lack to fully understand its meaning. The mystery and beauty of this ancient culture remains an enigma. The shaman, priest, nobility who may have worn this fabulous work of art must have made a great statement by his exquisite taste which can only be appreciated by a kindred soul.   « Less

Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Composite Creature - FJ.6157, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.875" (4.8cm) high, Catalogue:  More »

Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Composite Creature - FJ.6157, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.875" (4.8cm) high, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Shaman Holding a Double-Headed Snake - FJ.6158, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high,  More »

Gold Pendant of a Shaman Holding a Double-Headed Snake - FJ.6158, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. The male figure sits with his knees bent, feet extended over the curved lower bar. With both hands he clutches the heads of a stylized snake, the rope-like body of which is draped over his lap and groin area above his exposed genitals. Sprouting from the sides of his head are two identical alligator appendages composed of curly-cue noses and a row of teeth. This motif is inverted at the bottom attached to the sides of the legs. The man's face reveals coffee-bean eyes, a large nose and slightly parted mouth. An interesting feature is relatively large deep naval and the two appliqued nipples positioned high on the chest. This figure probably represents a shaman dressed in ritual costume, the pendant itself most likely worn by someone of high rank.   « Less

Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Pendant of a Lobster - FJ.6160, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high, Catalogue: V21,  More »

Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Pendant of a Lobster - FJ.6160, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Bird - FJ.6162, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high, Catalogue: V21,  More »

Gold Bell Pendant Featuring a Bird - FJ.6162, Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high, Catalogue: V21, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Mask - FJ.6166, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold.

Gold Pendant of a Mask - FJ.6166, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold.   « Less