Pectoral (Chest Ornament)

1–800 CE

Isthmian Region (Colombia), Calima, Yotoco period

Medium

gold, hammered

Measurements

Overall: 22.7 x 28.5 x 2.9 cm (8 15/16 x 11 1/4 x 1 1/8 in.)

Credit Line

Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2015.2

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Location

233 Mesoamerican and Intermediate Region

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Did You Know?

Calima bilobed pectorals are among the largest torso ornaments ever made in the ancient Americas.

Description

Bilobed pectorals are some of the most flamboyant objects created by artists in Colombia’s Calima region. Chiefs apparently wore such pectorals—among the largest torso adornments ever created in the ancient Americas—with other gold objects, including bracelets, dramatic headdress adornments, and ear and nose ornaments like those shown on the pectoral itself. Thus, they armored themselves in gold, which likely had complex symbolism; for instance, it may have been associated with the sun and thereby with nourishing cosmic energies and positive moral behavior.