Colombia, Quimbaya or Yotoco style / 1–800 CE
Animal-Headed Figure Pendant
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Animal-Headed Figure Pendant as metalwork (Colombia, Quimbaya or Yotoco style · 1–800 CE).
The same creature, nasty but precious, appears in both pendants (1939.515). Human in its posture and arms, its head is that of an animal with a long, toothy snout.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as cast gold.
The museum's collection notes: The same creature, nasty but precious, appears in both pendants (1939.515). Human in its posture and arms, its head is that of an animal with a long, toothy snout. It holds batons to its mouth, and whiskers or ears flare from the sides of the head. The little headdress domes are mystifying; they have been described as mushrooms, gourds, and ceramic vessels, among other things.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtAnimal-Headed Figure PendantOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.