Plaque 450–900 Aguada This plaque shows a human figure at center flanked by two animals, which are shown in profile. The heads of the three figures extend above the plaque while the rest of their bodies appear in relief on the plaque’s surface. Metalworkers in the Aguada tradition in Northwest Argentina made this plaque through lost-wax casting likely between 450 and 900. Based on analyses of similar plaques, its composition is probably an alloy of copper (L. González 2004, 209). The central figure on the plaque faces the viewer and shows human characteristics. They wear a headdress

Plaque 450–900 Aguada This plaque shows a human figure at center flanked by two animals, which are shown in profile. The heads of the three figures extend above the plaque while the rest of their bodies appear in relief on the plaque’s surface. Metalworkers in the Aguada tradition in Northwest Argentina made this plaque through lost-wax casting likely between 450 and 900. Based on analyses of similar plaques, its composition is probably an alloy of copper (L. González 2004, 209). The central figure on the plaque faces the viewer and shows human characteristics. They wear a headdress that involves a rectangular element at top featuring several circular open spaces, and a circular band on each side. The two eyes are circular, the mouth is elliptical, and the nose is triangular and more pronounced than the other facial features are. The figure’s body is decorated with a range of geometric designs. There are zig-zag motifs among others on the torso, pairs of circles on the arms, and a rectangular lattice-like pattern on the legs. Two zig-zags emerge from either shoulder. The figure’s arms are bent, and the elbows point upward. Each hand has four fingers, and an arrow-like extension, possibly the representation of a cutting tool, is attached to the proper left hand. The figures on either side show mammalian and reptilian features. They are largely identical. One exception is that the figure on the proper right extends across a greater length of the plaque. The heads of the two figures also appear to be slightly different, but this may be the result of preservation (see below). The two figures face the viewer. Each has a rounded nose that sits slightly above two circular eyes. The figure’s mouths, like that of the central figure, appear to be partially open. Their bodies show circular motifs much like those that are seen on the arms of the central figure. The tails of the figures curl inward, and each of their feet shows four toes that resemble the le

How we Work

Contribute

Legal

Contact Us