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 on 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
Finely cast with tapering shaft terminating in two bands of granulation. Elaborate helmeted warrior wearing a mask and holding a staff with both hands, curving headdress and miniature animal perched on back. According to the research, only limited types of images were used for lime dippers, usually shamans or warriors. See "Calima and Malagana," by Marianne Cardale Schrimpff, p. 115, plate 111.34 for a similar example. Excellent example of lost wax casting. Sotheby’s, New York, private collector, prior to 2000.
Period: Colombia, International style, AD 700 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 8 1/4"
$14,750
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 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 Lime Spoon with a Royal Bird Holding a Double-Headed Serpent
When held upside down, this elaborately crafted bird transforms into a mask. Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1970's, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Calima, c. AD 600 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/8" Weight: 22.7 grams.
Price Upon Request
p1052
Colombia, Calima Gold Tupú or Lime Dipper of a Deity Seated on a Serpent
The deity has an elaborate face mask and he is holding the tail of the serpent. This is a known motif but rarely seen with a human, as most are found with a cayman/feline. According to the research, only limited types of images were used for lime dippers, usually shamans or warriors. See "Calima and Malagana," by Marianne Cardale Schrimpff, p. 116, plate 111.37 for a similar example.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 100 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length: 5 1/4 " Weight: 34 grams
$8,250
M8031
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, 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 is wearing a helmet, ear spools, and an elaborate headdress which falls down the back of his body. The monkey is grasping the shaft of the lime dipper. Lime dippers were used to administer lime for the coca ceremony. According to the research, only limited types of images were used for lime dippers, usually shamans or warriors. (See "Calima and Malagana," by Marianne Cardale Schrimpff). A similar but not exact motif is illustrated in ORFEBRERIA PREHISPANICA DE COLOMBIA Vol. Estilo Calima - Laminas Page 84 Num. 5232.
Period: Colombia, Calima, Yotoco Phase, Cauca River Valley, c. AD 100 - 1000
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Length 8 1/2"
$12,000
97146
Colombia, Muisca Cast Gold Erotic Male and Female
The female has her legs wrapped around the standing male as he holds her waist, creating the impression that the figures are making love. This sculpture has an ancient solid carbon core, which is still intact.
Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1970's, 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.
Price Upon Request
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 ear hoop. Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1970, by descent to his sons.
Period: Colombia, Muisca, c. AD 700 - 1500
Media: Hardcover
Dimensions: Height: 1 5/8" Weight: 22.1 grams.
Price Upon Request
p1051
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
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
$23,500
p1022
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 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, 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 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 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
XRF: Au 63% , Ag 26%, Cu 9.4%
$14,750
MM068
