Museum Quality Pre-Columbian Gold Twin Figure Pendant in the Shape of Jaguar Teeth (Price On Request)

Product Description

Southern Costa Rica/Western Panama Ca. 800-1500 AD. Gold Veraguas-Chiriqui-Diquis twin figure pendant cast by the lost-wax (cire perdu) grasping an imaginary club with their claws, with bat ears and pop out eyes and each figure ending in the shape of a jaguar tooth, simbolizing the power of the jaguar and the ability to see in the dark; The casting process did not go entirely smoothly. Part of he mold, on the side of the proper right figure (viewer’s left side), did not fill with metal. The Precolumbian goldsmith carried out a superb repair, probably making a wax patch and pouring gate on the gold pendant, then enclosing it in a new mold and pouring in more metal. The patch is hardly visible on the outside. A modern goldsmith, who cannot do it as well, would use his gas torch to solder on a patch. The gold is of such high grade or karat, possibly unalloyed native gold, that it shows no sign of corrosion, such as we see in tumbaga, an alloy of gold and copper that Mesoamericans frequently used because of its good casting qualities. This piece comes with an authenticity letter from Mr. Rober Sonin, Feb. 1 2006. ref. photo roll 3291.

In Pre-Colombian America (America before Christopher Columbus), gold was developed in the context of ritual and regalia, it was transformed into objects for gods and rulers. The earliest evidence for the working of gold in the New World comes from Peru, in South America. The first salient works were personal ornaments such as headdresses, pectorals, necklaces, ear and nose ornaments and the like. These artifacts were found in royal burials of powerful emperors.

These works were often transported across great distances and handed down over generations, making them a primary means by which ideas were exchanged between regions and across time. Crucial bearers of meaning, gold was especially susceptible to destruction and transformation; thus these works are rare testaments to the brilliance of ancient American artists. Gold too was closely associated with the supernatural realm. This majestic material was meant to provoke a strong response – perceptually, sensually, and conceptually – to transport the wearer and beholder into new realms. The imagery of these early works speaks to a rich mythological world of snarling, fantastic beasts and other extraordinary beings.

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