Lot 158A
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama, Diquis, ca. 500 to 1200 CE. A wonderful gold pendant comprised of 87.2% to 90.5% gold (equivalent to 20K+ to 21K+) cast via the lost wax method into the form of a standing shaman figure. He is nude and standing upright with exposed genitalia and his hands hold rod shaped objects that may represent staffs, celts, or other implements of power. He wears a large headdress with fused wire-form projections or wings that frame his rectangular head. The face is stylized with a protruding nose with applied linear eyes and mouth. A ring on the concave verso is intact, and 2 modern rings have been added to make this a wearable piece - the pendant is strung on a modern cord with a silver-plated lobster clasp. Size (pendant): 1.875" L x 0.875" W (4.8 cm x 2.2 cm); (cord): 21" L (53.3 cm); gold quality: 87.2% to 90.5% (equivalent to 20K+ to 21K+); weight: 9.3 grams
Pre-Columbian art is well-known for its impressive goldworks. Gold became the preferred material for creating fashionable ornaments sometime after 500 CE replacing jadeite and other green stones from which artists had made impressive jewelry for centuries. Indeed, the ancient cultures of the New World created countless gold ornaments and ceremonial objects. Unfortunately, the Spanish conquistadors melted nearly all of these to convert them to gold bars and coins for Spain. Due to this, surviving genuine pre-Columbian gold is rare and highly coveted by collectors.
Provenance: ex-Erich Locke Family collection, Virginia, USA, before 2000
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#168925
- Condition: Figure has a chip and perforations through the neck and head areas. Some casting imperfections and minor surface abrasions throughout. Integral loop on verso of figure is intact but 2 modern rings are added to secure the figure on a modern cord. Strung in modern times, this piece is wearable!
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| 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 |