Description:

Pre-Columbian, Panama, ca. 8th to 10th century CE. A STUNNING necklace featuring a finely cast high quality gold (88% gold or equivalent to 20K+) frog pendant, two oblong gold beads (58% gold) decorated in repousse with panels featuring spiral motifs, and dozens and dozens of cut emeralds strung with modern findings. Ancient societies of Central America used gold adornment to symbolize power and honor in both life and death. Leaders wore cast gold images in the shape of naturalistic animals such as this frog, human-animal hybrid figures, and composite beasts. Gold was so highly regarded that leaders were buried surrounded by goldworks. The frog pendant on this necklace is not only a striking rendering, but also deeply symbolic as it signified the seasonal rainfalls as well as fertility - the raised dots on the frog skin probably represent eggs or raindrops. Total weight: 19.1 grams Size: strand measures 19.5" L (49.5 cm) + frog pendant measuring .8" L (2 cm)

Provenance: ex-private West Palm Beach, Florida, USA collection

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.

#143727

  • Condition: Gold frog and gold beads are ancient. Emeralds and findings are modern. Goldworks have developed a lovely age patina.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 7, 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000