Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, Chiriqui culture, ca. 11th to 16th century CE. A beautiful gold frog pendant displaying a squatting amphibian with a bifurcated tongue - a pervasive serpent symbol - emerging from either side of the mouth terminating in 4 stylized scrolls. Triangular perforations travel vertically down the animal's back, ending between a pair of bent hindlegs and large, flared feet. His pointed snout is surmounted by a pair of bulging, spherical eyes with front legs just below, doubling as suspension hooks. A fabulous example; ready to suspend from your favorite gold chain or simply admire as a work of art! Size: 1.5" W x 2" H (3.8 cm x 5.1 cm); gold quality: 90.91% (equivalent to 21.8184 karat gold); weight: 20.1 grams

Imagine the brilliantly colored tree frogs inhabiting the lush rain forests of Costa Rica and Panama; these amphibians are the inspiration for this goldwork of the region. This frog pendant is not only impressive for its precious goldwork and artistry, but also deeply symbolic as frogs signified seasonal rainfalls as well as fertility. Ancient societies of Central America used gold ornaments to symbolize power and honor in both life and death. Gold was so highly regarded that leaders were buried surrounded by goldworks, including frogs like this example.

Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1991.419.1.

Provenance: private Van Buskirk collection, Tucson, Arizona, USA; ex-United States collection, acquired via descent in 2016; ex-South Florida, USA antiques dealer, acquired mid-2000s

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#181718

  • Condition: Some small nicks and abrasions to surface, commensurate with age, but otherwise intact, excellent, and wearable.

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December 14, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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