c. 300 BC-AD 200
Hammered and embossed gold-copper alloy
Overall: 6.8 cm (2 11/16 in.)
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1938.432
Gold ornaments have been discovered among the innermost wrappings of Paracas mummy-bundles, and were probably personal possessions of the deceased. The embossed image in the center of each ornament is a deity face, characterized by protruding eyes and a grinning, toothy mouth. Snakelike appendages emanate from the face. Figures embroidered on Paracas garments are frequently depicted with similarly shaped ornaments, either worn above the forehead or brandished in one hand.
The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.
To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.
All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.