The cultures of ancient America blurred the lines
between the physical world and that of the
spirits, between the human realm and that of the
animals, between the real and the fantastic. The
artists excelled at creating images full of
mysterious power and haunting ambiguity. This
remarkable pendant, perhaps originally strung in
a necklace as a bell or rattle, depicts a bird-like
creature with human arms. Is this an avian deity,
or mearly someone wearing a festival mask? The
answer remains elusive, giving this little
sculpture an enduring fascination.
- (PF.1252)
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