Pendant in the form of a double-bird
Pendant in the form of a double-bird

On view

Art of the Ancient Americas

Pendant in the form of a double-bird,

850–1250

Veraguas
y1972-14

Central American Goldwork

Around A.D. 550, the technology of making small ornaments and sculptures from copper-gold alloys via lost-wax casting spread rapidly from Colombia north, becoming a primary medium for prestigious objects for the chiefdoms of Central America. The ancient peoples of Colombia and Central America were closely related and spoke similar languages, facilitating the introduction of this new technology. Soon after its arrival, gold replaced jade as the most coveted and prized of art-making materials and was used for small representations of animals and people, as well as jewelry. By about A.D. 1000, these metallurgical techniques spread into Mesoamerica, where artists produced glittering objects that convey local ideas in local styles.

Information

Title
Pendant in the form of a double-bird
Dates

850–1250

Medium
Gold
Dimensions
11 × 15 × 4.1 cm (4 5/16 × 5 7/8 × 1 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, gift of the Hans A. Widenmann, Class of 1918, and Dorothy Widenmann Foundation
Object Number
y1972-14
Place Made

North America, Panama

Culture
Veraguas
Type
ornament, pectorals
Materials
gold
Subject
faces, birds

1972, purchased by the Princeton University Art Museum.

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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