Bird Pendant, c. 1000-1550. Costa Rica, Diquís region, or Panama, 11th-16th century. Cast gold; overall: x x cm (4 3/16 x 5 x 1 in.). Among the pendants shown here are a crustacean (), an animal-headed figure (), and two pendants featuring birds ( and ). The latter were dubbed aguilas (eagles) by Christopher Columbus, who saw natives wearing them as necklace ornaments. Modern researchers are not as sure of the species shown, but some believe that they are birds of prey because talons and beaks are prominent and often clutch something, in one exampl
Bird Pendant, c. 1000-1550. Costa Rica, Diquís region, or Panama, 11th-16th century. Cast gold; overall: x x cm (4 3/16 x 5 x 1 in.). Among the pendants shown here are a crustacean (), an animal-headed figure (), and two pendants featuring birds ( and ). The latter were dubbed aguilas (eagles) by Christopher Columbus, who saw natives wearing them as necklace ornaments. Modern researchers are not as sure of the species shown, but some believe that they are birds of prey because talons and beaks are prominent and often clutch something, in one example here a small, disembodied head that holds a clapper. In both examples, two tufts in the form of crocodiles in profile flank the birds’ heads.
Size: 3400px × 2674px
Photo credit: © CMA/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords:
