In Panama, metallurgy was introduced from the
south during the first five hundred years of the
Christian era. It was quickly adapted to the
myths,
legends and symbols of the local population,
resulting in magnificent works of art, brilliant in
their technology and artistic expression. These
objects rapidly became the primary symbols of
authority in Isthmian society. Gold not only
bedecked the bodies of important people in life
but also accompanied them in death. This
striking
pendant in the form of a twinned bat/reptile figure
most surely adorned the body of a very important
warrior. Fierce animal characteristics such as
those
depicted on these twin figures were often used to
draw attention to the aggressive or warlike
attributes of the wearer and also functioned as
the
signature of individual warriors. The choice of
bat
and reptile characteristics, seen here in the
mask's
erect bat-like ears and the crocodile-like long
snout and pointed teeth is typical in Panamanian
art. Reptiles were revered as extremely fierce
animals while bats exemplified contrasts,
symbolizing the upper world by their ability to fly
and the nether world by their nocturnal life.
Another symbol of the all important warrior class
appears on the pendant in the form of two
paddles, one held by each figure; these are
wooden
macanas, or clubs, used by the warriors in battle.
Yet another authoritative symbol is the twisted
cord belt that runs along the waist of each figure,
representing high-status "Golden Clothing." An
animal headed spear held by each warrior figure
adds another attribute of power to the figures as
well as adding to the overall compositional
balance
of the pendant. All in all, this sensational work of
Panamanian artistry speaks of a society
extremely
skilled in metallurgy and highly sensitive to the
world of nature, its primal force and beauty.
- (FJ.5086)
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