Description:

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona, ca. 800 to 1500 CE. A pair of 12 karat gold sheet over copper "anchor" beads from the ancient Tairona peoples of Colombia, each one finely executed via the lost wax (cire perdue) process. The design presents a wing-like anchor form with rope-patterned filigree edge and a small central opening on the lower end, as well as an attached loop at the upper end for suspension. Size: .75" W x .75" H (1.9 cm x 1.9 cm); Weight: 4.6 grams

The Pre-Columbian Tairona, a group of chiefdoms in a mountainous part of Colombia, are renowned for their distinctive gold pieces. See, for example, the catalogue from the British Museum exhibit, "Beyond El Dorado: Power and Gold in Ancient Colombia". Although gold was not a form of currency in Pre-Columbian South America, it had great symbolic power, used by elites in life and in death to demonstrate their place in society.

Provenance: private Poway, California, 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.

#128302

  • Condition: Minor denting and areas of surface wear. Both with attached loops.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 1, 2018 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 + $25,000