The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 22, 2025

Staff Head

400–1000 CE

Colombia, Sinú style

cast gold
Overall: 7.5 x 3 x 7.5 cm (2 15/16 x 1 3/16 x 2 15/16 in.)
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Humphreys, gift of their daughter Helen 1947.25
Location: Not on view

Description

These finials probably fit over the ends of wooden staffs, emblems of rank. Unique to the Sinú area are finials with an image, often a bird, at a right angle to the base. This orientation suggests that the finials served as the finger grips of ceremonial spear throwers.
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art Handbook. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1958. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 377 archive.org
  • Treasures of Peruvian Gold. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 23-April 3, 1966).
    Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art; February 23-April 3, 1966. "Treasures of Peruvian Gold."
    The Bird in Art. Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA (organizer) (June 6-August 12, 1956).
    Seattle, Washington: The Seattle Art Museum, June 6, 1956-August 12, 1956. "The Bird in Art."
    Art of the Americas. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 9, 1945-January 6, 1946).
    Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art; November 9, 1945- January 6, 1946. "Art of the Americas."
  • {{cite web|title=Staff Head|url=false|author=|year=400–1000 CE|access-date=22 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1947.25