Male Figure Pendant
Arts of the Americas
While we do not know the significance of the figures on these gold pendants, the mixture of human and animal attributes suggests a mythical and supernatural universe. The ornaments were worn on necklaces, perhaps by political and religious leaders who recognized and valued their symbolism. The representations of anthropomorphic animals may allude to the transformative powers of shamans or their spirit helpers as they journey to supernatural realms.
Aunque no conocemos el significado de las figuras en estos pendientes de oro, la mezcla de atributos humanos y animales sugiere un universo mítico y sobrenatural. Los ornamentos eran llevados en collares, quizás por líderes políticos y religiosos que reconocían y valoraban su simbolismo. Las representaciones de animales antropomórficos pueden aludir a los poderes transformadores de los chamanes o de sus ayudantes espirituales en sus viajes a los reinos sobrenaturales.
MEDIUM
Cast gold
DATES
900–1500 CE
PERIOD
Late Period
DIMENSIONS
4 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 7/8 in. (10.5 x 6.0 x 2.2 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
2001.28.2
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Estate of Alice M. Kaplan
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Cauca. Male Figure Pendant, 900–1500 CE. Cast gold, 4 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 7/8 in. (10.5 x 6.0 x 2.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Estate of Alice M. Kaplan, 2001.28.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2001.28.2_view1_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
front, 2001.28.2_view1_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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we welcome any additional information you might have.
On the label for this work it says it was made by a Cauca artist. To which pre-Columbian culture does this art piece belong?
Not much is known about the peoples of the Cauca River Valley who produced Popayán style gold pendants like this one. We don't know which smaller or more specific group this object comes from or if it represents it's own distinct Popayán culture.
Ok, thank you.
