Possibly Chiriquí. <em>Pendant in the Form of a Spider</em>, 1000–1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 3 1/8 in. (9.5 x 8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.234. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.234_PS1.jpg)

Possibly Chiriquí. Pendant in the Form of a Spider, 1000–1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 3 1/8 in. (9.5 x 8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.234. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.234_PS1.jpg)

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What carat gold are these?

I don't believe that we have had them tested. Some of the objects such as the Lime Container are actually gold alloys, while others such as the spider are just listed as gold.

What's this spider pendant about?

This pendant was made about 1000—1500 CE in Costa Rica. This golden adornment, worn by warriors, is believed to send messages about the wearer's prowess and supernatural potency. Pendants with bells, like this, were often cast in the shape of animals. The spider, a creature that bites, is shown grasping onto a double-headed snake, a creature that may represent danger.

Who would the pendant be given too?

This would have been worn by a man with high status in Chiriquí society. Gold was tied to the male principle and represented the sun. The animals represented on the pendants, like this spider, were intended to convey messages about the person who wore it. In this case, the owner's power and supernatural potency. Fierce animals are believed to be associated with warriors.

If you look closely, the spider is grasping a double-headed snake, which might represent triumph in the face of danger.

Pendant in the Form of a Spider

Arts of the Americas

In Costa Rica gold animal pendants were often worn by and buried with elite members of Chiriquí society. The eagle’s broad tail and outstretched wings may symbolize the animal’s ability to soar high into the sky and enter the supernatural realm. The spider’s legs end in human hands, which hold a double-headed snake. The abdomen, adorned with a bird and two crocodilian heads, is a bell that would have made a tinkling sound as the wearer moved. Depictions of predatory animals would have inspired awe and respect and provided the wearer with power and protection.

CULTURE Possibly Chiriquí

MEDIUM Gold

Place Made: Costa Rica

DATES 1000–1500

DIMENSIONS 3 3/4 x 3 1/8 in. (9.5 x 8 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 35.234

CREDIT LINE Alfred W. Jenkins Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Gold pendant in the form of a spider with a large bell as the spider's abdomen. The spider appears to hold a double-headed snake. The bell is decorated with two animal heads and what might be a flower with three petals. Condition: good.

EXHIBITIONS

American Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Possibly Chiriquí. Pendant in the Form of a Spider, 1000–1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 3 1/8 in. (9.5 x 8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.234. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.234_PS1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 35.234_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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