Colombia, 3 Muisca Cast Gold Snakes
The Muisca people of Eastern Columbia were known for their famous myth, El Dorado. El Dorado refers to a lord riding on a golden raft and covered in gold dust. Serpents are featured prominently in the Muisca creation myth, which describes two snakes emerging from the Iguaque lagoon as a women and child. Transmutation was an important theme to the Musica; these snakes are all cast using the lost wax technique as well as the manipulation of alloys to create the three different hues of gold.
Period: Colombia, Muisca, c. AD 700 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length: 1. 7/8, 2. 3/16 & 3. 9/16 inches Total Weight: 5.2 grams.
$2,400
n8006
Colombia, Calima Alcarazza Effigy in the form of a Seated Shaman
A similar effigy is illustrated "Calima: Diez Mil Anos de Historia" by Schrimpff, Bray et. al. (1992: pl. 38).
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, circa AD100-1000
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height 8 3/4"
Price Upon Request
M4015
Colombia, Calima Alcarazza of a Crested Bobwhite With Rounded Body and Legs
The bobwhite has a small head with large gray eyes and is decorated with brick and buff toned slip highlights. The crested bobwhite is a member of the partridge family and is still found in Colombia today. A similar vessel is illustrated in CALIMA AND MALAGANA ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY IN SOUTHWESTERN COLOMBIA, pg.43.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, circa AD100-1000
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height: 8"
Price Upon Request
m9009
Colombia, Calima Alcarraza with Frog Relief Sculpture and Incised Geometric Designs
The Alcarazza is a style of ceramic vessel made by the Calima culture of ancient Colombia. Often they are decorated with geometric forms and occasionally can be animal effigies. They tend to be very elegantly styled. Similar examples are illustrated in "Colombia Before Colombus" by Armand Labbé (1986). These vessels were used for storing chicha beer for ceremonial occasions. The double spout allowed the liquid to pass evenly out one spout while air entered the other.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Sonso Phase, Cauca River Valley, circa AD1000-1500
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height: 7 1/2" inches
Price Upon Request
M7113
Colombia, Calima Cast Gold Lime Dipper of a Warrior with Animal Perched on Back
This finely cast gold lime dipper features a warrior with an animal perched on his back and a tapering shaft terminating in two bands of granulation. The warrior wears an elaborate mask, a curving headdress, and holds a staff with both hands. Gold lime dippers often featured warrior figures and were reserved for important personages. For further reading, see Calima and Malagana, by Marianne Cardale Schrimpff. A similar lime spoon is illustrated on p. 115, plate 111.34. This is an excellent example of lost wax casting. Acquired in 2000 from private New York collector.
Period: Colombia, International style, AD 700 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length:(8 1/4" Weight 15.9 grams.
$12,000
MM618
Colombia, Calima Ceramic Double Spout Vessel in Shape of a Circular House
Simply designed, Calima conventional style, slip painted, red and white ceramic "alcarraza" with a double spout bridge handle, in the form of a round house with a peaked roof. The creamy base retains traces of black resist geometric motifs in a lattice or net-like composition, considered to be a trademark of the Calima style (see Labbe, A."Columbian Gold and Ceramics in Antiquity", pp144-148) .
Period: Columbia, Malagana, Cauca River Valley, c. 1-500 AD
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height: 6"
$4,500
MM032
Colombia, Calima Effigy Vessel in the Form of a House
A house model resting on four globular feet. Vessels from the Calima region of Colombia, also known as alcarazzas, have a very distinct shape, typically with two spouts on the diagonal. For more examples, see "Colombia Before Columbus" by Armand Labbe (1986: 64-95) and "Calima" by de Schrimpff, Bray et. al. (1992: 113-118), which is where the reference drawing shown here has been taken from. A number of alcarazzas represent houses and probably mimic the actual dwellings of ancient societies in Calima.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, circa AD100-1000
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height 8"
$3,500
99318
Colombia, Calima Gold Hammered and Incised Plaque with Two Royal Heads
In ancient Pre-Columbia, twin imagery was considered to represent good luck and prosperity. This incised gold plaque features twin royal figures, identifiable by their headdresses and the elaborate swirl design above their heads, indicating that they are individuals of high status.
Period: Colombia, Calima, c. AD 700 - 1200
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 3 1/2" x Width: 6 1/2" Weight 28.8 grams.
$24,000
p5051
Colombia, Calima Gold Kidney Shaped Nose Ornament with Satin Finish
This is an early example of Calima gold working displaying a high degree skill of annealing to create an even thickness. The Kidney shape is continued during the entire Calima presence and becomes more elaborate with time.
Period: Peru, Sihuas III, Southern Andes, circa AD300 AD-700
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 6 1/2" x Width: 7 7/8" Weight: 53 grams
Price Upon Request
97228
Colombia, Calima Gold Kidney Shaped Nose Ornament with Satin Finish
This is an early example of Calima gold working displaying a high degree skill of annealing to create an even thickness. The Kidney shape is continued during the entire Calima presence and becomes more elaborate with time.
Period: Panama, Conte Style, c. AD 600 - 800
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 6 1/2" x Width: 7 7/8" Weight: 53 grams
Price Upon Request
97228
Colombia, Calima Gold Lime Spoon with a Royal Bird Holding a Double-Headed Serpent
When held upside down, this elaborately crafted bird transforms into a mask. From the Jan Mitchell collection, acquired prior to the 1970s, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Calima, c. AD 600 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/8" Weight: 22.7 grams.
$7,500
p1052
Colombia, Calima Gold Tupu (Lime Dipper) of a Deity Seated on a Serpent
The deity has an elaborate face mask and holds the tail of the serpent upon which he is seated. This is a known motif, but rarely seen with a human, as most are found with a cayman or feline as the primary figure. According to the research, only limited types of images were used for lime dippers, usually shamans or warriors. A similar example is illustrated in Calima and Malagana, by Marianne Cardale Schrimpff, page 116, plate 111.37.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 100 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length:5 1/4 " x Weight: 34 grams.
$8,250
M8031
Colombia, Calima Rayed Gold Headdress Ornament with an Embossed Face
Similar style headdress ornaments are in the gold Museum in Bogota. It appears that the ornament was ceremonially "killed". Ex. Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1970, by descent to his sons. From a Texas collector, acquired prior to the 1970s.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 100 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height 10 1/2"
$28,500
P1001
Colombia, Calima Redware Alcarazza with 4 globular sections
The Alcarazza is a style of ceramic vessel made by the Calima culture during the early Llama phase. Often they are geometric forms and occasionally can be animal effigies. They tend to be very elegant styled vessels. Similar vessels are illustrated in "Colombia Before Columbus" by Armand Labee, Bowere Musuem, Ca.. These vessels were ceremonial Chica storing vessels. The double spout allows the liquid to pass evenly out one spout while the air enters the other.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Llama Phase, circa 800 BC-AD100
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height 7 1/2"
$3,800
MM150
Colombia, Calima Tupu with Condor on top
Tupus were used to fasten the shawls of upper class women as well as the garments on votive offerings of small figures. The tops were often decorated with images which related to its owner, such as a Shaman, Cacique (warrior) or favorite animal. This tupu has the condor's male snood and incised feathers on the wing and tail.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoko phase, lower Cauca valley circa AD1200-1300
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length 9 1/8" Weight: 45grams
Price Upon Request
M8033
Colombia, Capuli Hammered Gold Pectoral Disk
This pectoral has two sets of horizontal suspension holes toward the top. The suspension holes suggest that the disc was originally part of a more elaborate stringing with multiple strands. A very similar pectoral with four suspension holes is illustrated in THE ART OF PRECOLUMBIAN GOLD: The Jan Mitchell Collection, page 202. From the estate of Jan Mitchell, acquired prior to the 1970s.
Period: Ecuador, Capulio, Northwestern, c. AD 700 - 1200
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Diameter: 3 3/4 " Weight: 44.6 grams.
$6,500
p3062
Colombia, Chiriqui /Diquis Gold Pendant with Framed Twin Musicians
Gold pendant with twin musicians, side by side. There are two sets of Saurian animals in profile, along the figures’ heads and knees, encircled by the typical braided goldwork frame. Illustrated in The Art of Pre-Columbian Gold, page 102, and exhibited in 1976 in the Leningrad Museum. Also published in Pre-Columbian Art of Mexico and Central America, 1968, by Hasso Von Winning, plate #189 on page 378. From the estate of Jan Mitchell, by descent to his son Oliver Mitchell, prior to 1968.
Period: Panama, Diquis, c. AD 700 - 1550
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 2 7/8 x Width: 3 in. Weight: 116 grams.
$85,000
p4165
Colombia, Darian Cast Gold Smiling Shaman with Headdress of Two Hemispheres with Spirals
This is a very large example of a Darien pendant with strong influences of neighboring Sinu and Quimbaya styles. The shaman has the typical Darien hemispherical headdress with filigree spirals, and a zoomorphic triangular snout that shows two rows of teeth. The projecting side ornaments are intended to represent a headdress made of feathers and are adorned with additional spiral scrolls. The legs are represented by a single metal plaque with curved sides and a vertical groove in the center – a stylistic influence from the earlier Quimbaya culture. Two similar images are illustrated in Darien Gold Pendants of Ancient Columbia and the Isthmus, by Ana Maria Falchetti -figures 30 and 31 on page 49.
Period: Colombia, Darian/Sinu, Northern Region, circa AD1-500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 5"(12.7cm) x Width: 3 3/4"(9.5cm) Weight: 187.5grams. (6 troy oz)
$150,000
n6003
Colombia, Darien Tumbaga Classic Mushroom Style Figural Pendant
This pendant is published in The Darien Gold Pendants of Ancient Colombia and the Isthmus, by Anna Maria Falcetti, Metropolitan Museum Journal No. 43, 2008, page 39. There is a high amount of gold in the casting. Ex-Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1970.
Period: Colombia, Darian/Sinu, Northern Region, c. AD 400 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 2 5/8" x Weight: 36.2 grams.
$14,000
P1016
Colombia, Early Calima Alcarazza with male and female figures
A couple are seated back to back on an early form of this "alcarazza" vessel type, which was characteristic of Calima ceramics from Colombia. The globular body, modeled figures and incised decoration were typical of the earliest "Llama" phase of Calima pottery. Later examples of alcarazzas are less globular, with multi-chambered bodies, and vessels tend to be smaller. See Cardale de Schrimpff et. al., "Calima: Diez mil anos de historia en el suroccidente de Colombia" (1992) and Armand Labbé, "Colombia Before Columbus: The People, Culture, and Ceramic Art of Prehispanic Colombia" (1986).
Period: Colombia, Calima, Llama Phase, circa 800 BC-AD100
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height 8 1/4"
$4,500
M4053
Colombia, Early Calima Gold Forged Maskette of a Deity with Dangles
This is a second type of a Calima face that appears less frequently. The features are reduced to the essentials: a small, modeled nose and brow, hemispherical eyes, and a rectangular mouth with prominent teeth. A slightly smaller gold face (9 centimeters) is illustrated in CALIMA AND MALAGANA, by Marianne Cardale Schrimpff, page 170. There are dangles for the eye, ears, and chin; the illustrated Maskette is missing the eye dangles. Ex. New York collector, prior to 1970.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Llama Phase, Cauca River Valley, c. 100 BC - AD 400
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 3 3/4"(9.5cm) x Weight: 39 grams.
Price Upon Request
P1005
Colombia, Early Calima Gold Lime Dipper
A fine lost wax cast lime dipper with a mythological monkey deity on the tip. The monkey wears a helmet, ear spools, and an elaborate headdress which falls down the back of his body. Lime dippers were used to mix lime with crushed leaves from the Erythroxylum coca plant (from which cocaine is derived) to create a drug compound that functioned as a psychoactive stimulant used in ritual ceremonies. According to the research, only limited types of imagery was used for lime dippers, usually shamans or warriors. See Calima and Malagana, by Marianne Cardale Schrimpff for further reading. A similar but not exact motif is also illustrated in Orfebreria Prehispanica de Colombia on page 84, plate # 5232.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 100 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length: 8 1/2" Weight: 25 grams.
$9,500
97146
Colombia, Early Calima Pair of Gold Hour-Glass Shaped Ear Spools
These spools are made from high karat gold sheets formed on balsa wood cores. The side seams were nailed shut, and the circular ends were crimped to the sides. These ends of the spools have embossed designs radiating around the central shaft. This style of earspool was worn in the ancient Americas by hanging from the ear lobe, suspended by a cord through the shaft. These were clearly intended to be a pair, weighing only a 1/2-gram difference. A very similar pair is illustrated in THE ART OF PRECOLUMBIAN GOLD: The Jan Mitchell Collection, page 194. Ex-collection Jan Mitchell, acquired prior to the 1980s.There are dents in the spool, and separated crimped edges.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 100 - 5000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height:2 1/4 " x Diameter: 2 " Gram Weight: 12.5 & 13 grams. each (total 25 grams.)
$8,500
p3066
Colombia, Large Cast Gold Sinu Pendant with Two Royal Faces
This unique pendant features classic Quimbaya iconography. The design depicts twin faces side by side, wearing crowns and earring ornaments, with large spirals framing the twin faces on both sides. Twins were considered lucky in Pre-Columbian cultures. On the back are a pair of vertical suspension tubes. This ornament was found in the Uruba region on the Panamian border, an area of varied trade with neighboring cultures, especially the Sinu, Darien, and Quimbaya. Formally in the collection of a private Texas collector, prior to 1970. The top of upper right plumb was broken and soldered back together. Acquired from a Texas collector.
Period: Colombia, Gulf of Uruba, c. AD 500 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/4" x Width: 8 5/8" Weight: 282 grams.
$167,500
N6004
Colombia, Large Darien/Uruba Cast Gold Shaman
The Darien style is identified by the mushroom-shaped domes depicted atop the heads of shamanic figures. This male shaman is wearing a lunate nose ornament and has facial markings which may represent tattoos. He holds a bird in each hand, which could represent spiritual projection or physic flight. The spiral iconography is associated with the otherworld. The Uruba region borders Panama and was a major trading center with exposure to the stylistic traditions of surrounding cultures.
Period: Colombia, Gulf of Uruba, c. AD 500 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 6" x Width: 3 7/8" Weight: 199 grams.
$145,000
N8010b
Colombia, Muisca Cast Gold Erotic Male and Female
The female has her legs wrapped around a standing male as he holds her waist, creating the impression that the figures are engaged in sex. This sculpture has an ancient solid carbon core, which is still intact.From the Jan Mitchell collection, acquired prior to the 1970s, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Muisca, c. AD 700 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 3 3/8" x Width: 1" Weight: 30 grams.
$4,800
p1049
Colombia, Muisca Cast Gold Seated Warrior
This cast gold warrior holds a spear and spear thrower in one hand, and a slingshot in the other. He is wearing a hat, a necklace, and one remaining ear hoop. Contains an intact carbon core. From the Jan Mitchell collection, acquired prior to 1970, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Muisca, c. AD 700 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 1 5/8" Weight: 22.1 grams.
$3,500
p1051
Colombia, Narino Gold Disc Shaped Mirror with Single Suspension Hole
A similar disc is illustrated in The Art of Pre-Columbian Gold: The Jan Mitchell Collection. This disc is also from the Jan Mitchell collection, acquired prior to 1980.
Period: Ecuador, Narino, Southwestern, c. AD 1000 - 1200
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Diameter: 5 " Gram Weight: 56.9 grams.
$8,500
p3063
Colombia, Pair of Sinu Gold Ear Ornaments with Cutout Step Design
Around the outer rim is an embossed design. Each ornament is almost the same size and weight. Ex-Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1970.
Period: Colombia, Sinu, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 1000 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Diameter 5" each. Weight: 40.7grams & 40.4 grams.
Price Upon Request
P1004
Colombia, Pair of Sinu Gold Fan-Shaped Ear Ornaments (SOLD)
These beautiful lost-wax cast "False Filigree" style pendants each feature six sections of latticework separated by simple bands. The false filigree technique was favored by the Sinu goldsmiths. The larger the ornament, the higher the status of the wearer. These ear ornaments are illustrated in the Met Museum's Catalog, THE ART OF PRECOLUMBIAN GOLD: The Jan Mitchell Collection, pg. 164. Estate of Jan Mitchell, prior to 1970.
Period: Colombia, Sinu, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 1000 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 2 1/2" x Width: 4 3/8" Weight: 67.5 grams.
$27,000
p1022
Colombia, Quimbaya Cast Gold Pendant Depicting a Seated Queen in a Trance
This seated queen is elaborately dressed, to include a crown with 19 birds facing downwards, a U-shaped nose ornament, two sets of spiral-shaped ear ornaments, and a five-strand necklace. Her face is delicately sculptured with her eyes closed as if she were in a trance, and she holds a popuro in each hand. This is fine example of an early cast gold piece of good size. Similar pendants in museum collections include: the Museo del Oro in Bogota, the Museo de las Americas in Madrid, the Glassell Collection at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Dora Janssen Collection in Antwerp. Private Texas collection, prior to the 1970s.
Period: Colombia, Uruba N.W. Darian, circa AD1-700
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 7" x Width: 2 1/4" Weight: 91.8 grams.
$145,000
N6009
Colombia, Quimbaya Cast Gold Pendant of a Lord
The deity is in a trance with tears coming down from his eyes. It was created using the lost wax cast technique without any flaws. It is illustrated in "Guide to the Arts of the Americas" by Harmer Johnson and Peter Furst, pg. 112-B. This is a unique subject and was found in the Uruba region of Northwestern Columbia with the border of Panama. This region is known to have gold styles from Quimbaya, Sinu and Darian and must have been a center of trade. Examined by Robert Sonin for authenticity. Acquired from a New York collector in 1998.
Period: Colombia, Quimbaya, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 400 - 800
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height 3 1/2" x Width 5" Weight: 81.4 grams
Price Upon Request
M7990
Colombia, Quimbaya cast gold pendant of a Lord in a Trance
The personage is wearing a crown, elaborate nose ornament, and necklace. He has an ancient casting repair to the lower left knee. The Uruba region is located on the Colombian/Panamanian border and had received early influences from the Quimbaya people and later influences from the Sinu. A similar pendant is illustrated in the article THE DARIEN GOLD PENDANTS OF ANCIENT COLOMBIA AND THE ISTHMUS, figure 35, and in the catalog of the Banco de Oro de Colombia # 414, Lam 46.
Period: Colombia, Gulf of Uruba, c. AD 500 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 6 3/8" ( 16.3cm) Weight 91.4 grams
XRF Au. 62% Ag. 22%, Cu16%
Price Upon Request
n4033
Colombia, Quimbaya Cast Gold Pendant of a Male Shaman
This is the largest known gold Quimbaya shaman. The shaman is in a state of trance or meditation, and wears elaborate ornaments, including: a crown with 24 birds facing downwards, a large pair of double-spiral ear ornaments, a crescent-shaped nose ornament, and a special gold necklace with a curly-tailed animal pendant. There are two suspension loops on the back. The casting is extremely well executed, with fine details on the crown and the necklace. A similar ornament is in the Museo del Oro and only measures 7 1/2" in height. A pair is illustrated in The Dora Janssen Collection catalogue, which measures 7 1/2" in height. Similar examples are also illustrated in MASTERWORKS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN GOLD: The Glassell Collections of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, p.151, and in The Art of Pre-Columbian Gold:The Jan Mitchell Collection, p.59. Similar examples are also published in The Gold of Eldorado, by Warwick Bray, on p. 218. From a Texas collector, acquired prior to the 1970s. Ex. Jan Mitchell collection, acquired prior to the 1980s by descent to his son David Mitchell.
Period: Colombia, Quimbaya, Uruba, Antioquia-c. AD 400 - 700
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height" 8 1/2" x Width: 3 2/4" Weight: 192 grams.
$165,000
n7061
Colombia, Quimbaya Seated Male Warrior with Gold Nose Ornament
This male figure sculpted in solid red clay is in a sitting position with outstretched hands. He is wearing his original ancient gold crescent nose ring. His arms and legs are decorated with incised geometric banded depressions, representing ligature bands intended to constrict the flow of blood. It was believed that this strengthened the adjacent muscles. Similar examples are illustrated in "Columbia Before Columbus," by Armand J. Labbe, Rizzoli, NY 1986, p. 75.
Period: Colombia, Quimbaya, Cauca River Valley, circa AD200-1500c
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: Height 8 in. x Width 7 in.
$4,800
94272B
Colombia, Quimbaya Style Gold Pendant of a Tumbling Shaman with Two Rectangular Dangles
Cast figural pendant of a feline-headed Shaman tumbling in a trance. The shaman holds bars with large rectangles in each hand. This pendant is extremely well sculpted with curved limbs arching upward at the back, legs bent, and toes curled, with suspension loops on each sole. This example was purported to be found in the Uruba region of North West Colombia. The subject is a very rare subject for Colombian gold work.
Period: Colombia, Gulf of Uruba, c. AD 500 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Width: 2 5/8 inches
Price Upon Request
99120
Colombia, Sinu Cast Gold Whistle with a Condor Standing On Top of a Shaman
This is a large example of a Sinu golden whistle which is lost wax cast in the round. Its subject is very unusual with a Condor standing on top of a Shaman who is in transition from a personage into an animal with large feet and hands. There are two suspension loops cast on the back which show signs of wear. There are loops on both the noses, which once had gold discs dangling which were lost. There are a few known whistles in the literature but none with this totem like subject.
Period: Colombia, Sinu, Santa Marta, c. AD 700 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/2" Weight 91.5 grams
XRF Au.58%, Cu. #0%, Ag, 10%
Price Upon Request
N6005
Colombia, Sinú Gold Pectoral of Mushroom Shaman in Trance
Called "Darien pectorals," these ornaments are one of the most fascinating and enigmatic in the corpus of Sinú gold work. They are not confined to one region, although their greatest concentration is in the Sinú area of northwestern Colombia, near the border with Panama's Darien Province. They are also found in the Quimbaya region of Colombia further south. The consensus of opinion on these pectorals is that they represent shamans in trance decorated with references to natural psychoactive hallucinogens (Shultes and Bright 1981, Reichel-Dolmatoff 1988). In this work and most such figures, the bell motifs above the face represent hallucinogenic mushrooms, and on some pieces, the mushrooms are realistically represented. Similarly, the mask of spiral curls in front of the face here is a stylized frog with hallucinogenic glands behind its eyes, but in some examples, the frog is completely realistic. Lastly, the vertical spirals on either side of the face are stylized bird wings, since shamans thought of their souls as flying to the otherworld to seek advice and knowledge from the ancestors and deity spirits.
Period: Colombia, Sinu, Northern Region, c. AD 400 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/2" x Width: 3 1/2" Weight 119 grams
Price Upon Request
M7027
Colombia, Sinu Ring with Capped Ends
This high-karat, solid gold ring is has a lovely burnished finish. The cylindrical caps are typical of the Sinu, and are individually hammered onto the ends.
Period: Colombia, Sinu, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 700 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Diameter: 1" 3/16" Weight: 16.4 grams
$2,500
n7034
Colombia, Sinu Solid Gold Nose Ring with End Caps
A solid gold U-shaped bent rod for a nose ornament with hammered end caps. Exhibited at The Museum of Primitive Art in 1969, no 165. Illustrated in The Art of Pre-Columbian Gold: The Jan Mitchell Collection, pages 162-163. Ex. Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1980s, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Sinu,, c. AD 400 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Diameter: 1 3/4" Weight: 31 grams.
$7,000
p1253
Colombia, Tairona Cacique With Bird Headdress
This is a small pendant of its type, a classic cacique wearing an elaborate headdress crafted with traditional swirls resembling animal heads in profile. The details are well done for such a small piece. Ex. Jan Mitchell collection, prior to the 1970s.
Period: Colombia, Tairona, Santa Marta c. AD 1000 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height 3 1/4" x Weight: 55.1 grams.
$18,000
P1003
Colombia, Tairona Carved Bone Finial of a Harpy Eagle
A superbly carved finial of a male Harpy eagle standing with wings to its side. A feline face is carved in the back of the wings. Finials were placed atop staffs to display rank. Bone objects are discussed by J. Alden Mason in "Marshall Field Archaeological Expedition to Colombia 1922-23.â€
Period: Tairona, Santa Marta Colombia circa 1000-1400A.D.
Media: Bone
Dimensions: Height 2 1/2"
$2,450
95082
Colombia, Tairona Ceramic Tray with Bat Adornos
A redware ceramic tray embellished with two smiling bats with outstretched wings. The head and the body of the bat are decorated with incised lines, the back with a diamond-shaped motif. The outer wall of the bowl is incised with squarish scroll designs.
Period: Tairona, Santa marta Colombia 650-1600AD
Media: Ceramic
Dimensions: L: 13", W: 10-1/2"
$8,000
94271
Colombia, Tairona dark gray-green stone handled ax
Smoothly polished, dark gray stone ax is of superior quality. Similar stone carved axes are in the Field Museum in Chicago Mason- Archaeology of the Tairona Cultura of Colombia, figs. 2-4, 9 & 12, Chicago 1939. The Tairona Cacique uses this as a symbol of power. The Mound Builder Indians of the Mississippi Basin had similar axes.
Period: Colombia, Tairona, Santa Marta, circa AD700-1500
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Height: 7 1/4" x Width: 4 3/4"
Price Upon Request
99231
Colombia, Tairona Gold Cast Frog Pendant with Rattle
This expertly crafted gold pendant depicts a frog hunched on its back flippers. The frog has spherical eyes and a delicate braided ribbon that slopes down its back and borders its flippers. There is a modern suspension loop hung from the original suspension arrangement. Jan Mitchell collection prior to 1970, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Tairona, Santa Marta c. AD 1000 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length: 1 7/8" x Width: 1 5/8" Weight: 21.2 grams
Price Upon Request
p1045b
Colombia, Tairona Gold Cast Frog Pendant with Rattle
This expertly crafted gold pendant depicts a frog with large eyes hunched on its hind legs. A delicate braided ribbon slopes down its back and borders its legs. A modern suspension loop is attached to the original ancient suspension arrangement. From the Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1970, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Tairona, Santa Marta c. AD 1000 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length: 1 7/8" x Width: 1 5/8" Weight: 21.2 grams.
$4,500
p1046
Colombia, Tairona Pair of gold lost wax cast ear ornaments decorated with braidwork
This is a particularly strong and heavy pair of matched ear ornaments from the Tairona people who were known for their fine casting work. A very similar pair is illustrated in THE GOLD OF ELDORADO by Warick Bray pg. 164.
Period: Colombia, Tairona, c. AD 1000 - 1500
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Width: 2 3/4" x Height: 2" Weight: 48.4 & 49.6 grams
XRF: Au. 49.1%, Ag. 7.6%, Cu. 42%
Price Upon Request
n8012
Colombia, Tairona Shell Macaw
Carved from a very thick shell with a hole in the base indicating that it was used as a finial for a staff. The bird has a large round beak indicating that it is a Macaw. Complete and intact. It is unusual for shell artifacts from Colombia to last so long.
Period: Colombia, Tairona, c. AD 1000 - 1500
Media: Shell
Dimensions: Height 2 1/4"
$1,450
88031a
Colombia, Uruba Style Bird Pendant with Square Plaque Dangles
The bird has its wings arched to its sides, a flared tail, and four dangles suspended on two bars. The small suspension holes are inside the back of the neck. The bird has bead-like eyes and is a generalized composite of various birds. This piece is well cast, with evidence of the carbon core intact. There is a similar bird in The Gold Museum of Colombia in Bogota. Ex. Louisiana professor acquired prior to 1980s'.
Period: Colombia, Gulf of Uruba, c. AD 500 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 3 1/2" x Width: 4 1/2" Weight 33.6 grams.
$12,500
MM068
Colombia, Uruba style bird pendent with square plaque dangles
The bird has its wings arched to its sides and a flared tail and 4 dangles suspended on 2 bars. The suspension holes are small, inside the neck and two bead like eyes. The bird is a generalized composite of various birds, representing none in particular. It is well cast with evidence of the carbon core intact. There is a similar bird in The Gold Museum of Colombia in Bogota of the same size and posted on their website http://www.banrep.gov.co/museo/esp/o_uraba_O32654C.htm
Period: Colombia, Gulf of Uruba, c. AD 500 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height 3 1/2" x Width 4 1/2" Weight 33.6 grams
Price Upon Request
MM608