Artwork Page for Feline Pendant

Details / Information for Feline Pendant

Feline Pendant

1000–1550

Isthmian Region, Panama-Costa Rica, Veraguas-Chiriquí style, 11th century-16th century

Medium
gold, cast
Measurements
Overall: 3.4 x 3 cm (1 5/16 x 1 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2015.11
Public Domain
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Location
233 Mesoamerican and Intermediate Region
Print
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Did You Know?

In the Panama-Costa Rica region gold ornaments were associated with political and religious authority.

Description

This memorable jaguar pendant is a nasty precious—nasty because it holds a severed limb (probably human) in its fanged mouth but precious due to its material, its well-polished silky surface, and the charming rendering, which reduces the jaguar to cartoon-like essentials. The warm, rosy color is the result of copper in the alloy.
A golden sculpture depicts a four-legged animal figure with a wide head and a thick, upward-curving tail. Its face, oriented left, features large circular eyes and rounded ears, with a rod-like object held horizontally in its open mouth. The figure stands on short legs ending in broad, ridged feet. The entire surface has a warm yellow tone and a slightly uneven, cast texture.

Feline Pendant

1000–1550

Isthmian Region, Panama-Costa Rica, Veraguas-Chiriquí style, 11th century-16th century

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