Beschreibung:

Pre-Columbian Tairona Tumbaga Pendant 10th-15th century AD A gold anthropomorphic pendant featuring the body of a man with the stylised face of a bird, the head is adorned with an elaborate headdress and the figure holds a sceptre across his body; suspension loop above and four to the reverse of the headdress. 63 grams, 76mm (3"). Fine condition, some loss to the underside. Provenance Property of a Brussels gentleman; previously in a French private collection, Paris, acquired 1960s. Literature For a range of Tairona pendants see Emmerich, A. Sweat of the sun and tears of the moon, Washington, 1965. Footnotes The exact meaning of such detailed and finely worked pieces is unknown. A shaman transforming into a revered animal is one interpretation. The craftsmanship and symbols of power depicted lead us to assume these pendants would have been reserved for important and powerful figures in Tairona society.