The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 15, 2026

A gold jewelry fragment features sixteen bird-like beads arranged in a horizontal arc. Each bead depicts a textured bird with folded wings and an upward-pointing head. From the base of each bird, a thin ring suspends a flat, heart-shaped pendant with a smooth surface. The warm yellow metal ornament curves upward at both ends, creating a rhythmic sequence of repeating avian forms and dangling geometric shapes.

Bird Beads

c. 900–1550

Colombia, Muisca style

cast gold
Gift of Mrs. Edward S. Harkness in memory of Mrs. Stephen V. Harkness 1949.190
Location: Not on view

Description

Muisca metalwork divides into two categories: ornaments to be worn, such as these, and offering figurines, in the case to the right. The elaborate bird pendant features delicate herringbone moldings, openwork patterns, and wing details-all part of the wax model from which the pendant was cast (see nearby computer animation). The dangles were attached after casting.
  • Treasures of Peruvian Gold. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 23-April 3, 1966).
  • {{cite web|title=Bird Beads|url=false|author=|year=c. 900–1550|access-date=15 September 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1949.190