Description:

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 1200 to 1500 CE. A beautiful tumbaga (alloy of gold and copper) ornament with a highly abstract zoomorphic design with tightly coiled swirling designs made of thin tumbaga wire and bulbous hollow half-spheres like eyes applied to a flat piece of the metal. There is a loop in the back for suspension. These disk-like designs are often seen on Tairona jewelry, and often are linked to birds, who seem to have been symbolically powerful (shamans are depicted in pottery transforming into birds, while feathered headdresses were signifiers of status). Spanish written sources from the contact period tell us that the Tairona had a stratified society; tumbaga pendants like this one were probably signs of rank. Size: 3.05" W x 3.6" H (7.7 cm x 9.1 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Pearson collection, Denver, Colorado, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#143174

  • Condition: Tiny loss from one corner of a spiral, otherwise in great condition, with a matte patina on surface and light encrustation.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

January 24, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000