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Archive : Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Pectoral of a Shaman Wearing a Bird Mask
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Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Pectoral of a Shaman Wearing a Bird Mask - FJ.6204
Origin: Cauca, Colombia
Circa: 1150
AD
to 1600
AD
Dimensions:
6.25" (15.9cm) high
x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide
Catalogue: V25
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Gold
Additional Information: sold 198 grams
Location: United States
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| Description |
In a journal written by Vargas Machuca he tells
about encountering gold items owned by priests,
including large breastplates of very fine gold on
which were engraved with many idols of different
shapes. The Spanish were awestruck by the
quantity of gold the priests and nobility of
Colombia possessed. However, they were only
interested in the raw worth of the metal. To the
indigenous people gold had great religious
significance, especially when fashioned into
symbolic objects. Only then did the metal
acquire meaning and a value beyond its intrinsic
worth. The beauty of this pectoral is quite
staggering. A noble figure stands on a slim base
which curves around in the shape of a crescentic
blade. He has definite human attributes such as
very delicate hands and feet, legs bending at the
knee, with his penis protruding from under his
belt. The bird face may in fact be a mask. This
supposition is further strengthened by the
wonderful headdress he wears, and his pleated
attire complete with appliques and two jaguars
attached to the arms. It is possible we are seeing
a shaman in full regalia involved in a ceremony:
perhaps related to fertility. On the central
portion of his headdress are insignias which may
explain the nature of the ritual. The flamboyant
headdress fans out like wings of a mythical bird,
with triangular shapes imitating feathers. With
his legs slightly bent and arms tight against his
chest, he seems about to spring into another
dimension. The brilliant gold serves to enhance
the impression something very magical is going
on; beyond our ability to comprehend, yet not
beyond our ability to be utterly dazzled.
- (FJ.6204)
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