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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Pre-Columbian Masterpieces : Diquis Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing a Double-Headed Saurian Mask
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Diquis Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing a Double-Headed Saurian Mask - FJ.6244
Origin: Costa Rican/Panamanian Border Area
Circa: 500
AD
to 1550
AD
Dimensions:
4" (10.2cm) high
x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide
Catalogue: V23
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Gold
Additional Information: 133.5 Grams/heather/2, SOLD
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
This fantastic and powerful pendant is
classic
Diquis style. The dramatic pose of the
figure, the
slightly curved upper band, symmetrical
balance,
and design of the snake heads are
characteristic
of the inventive Diquis goldsmiths. What
we are
seeing here is a shamanic figure with
two heads
in the form of either a jaguar or
crocodile. The
highly stylized heads may represent
masks worn
by shamans (sorcerers) during ritual
ceremonies.
The double heads suggest the principal
of duality,
(good and evil forces), characteristic
of shamanic
belief. However, the snake image is
crucial to the
understanding of the pendant's
significance as a
ritual object. The figure holds a snake
in each
hand, and his penis is cleverly shaped
like a
snake's head. This is an overt symbol of
sexuality, as the serpent was directly
associated
with the male member and used to
represent
fertility. This pendant may have been
worn by a
shaman who specialized in matters
related to
procreation. The artistry and inventive
flair is as
powerful as the pendant's symbolism, and
both
these elements merge with the brilliant
gold to
form a work of art of outstanding
beauty.
- (FJ.6244)
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