Staff Head(?)

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Staff Head(?) as metalwork (Colombia or Panama, International style, 5th-8th Century · c. 400–700).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

The two-headed beast that crouches on the top of this object-perhaps a staff finial (head)-holds a human head or perhaps a mask between its paws. The silken surface and simple, elegant design identify the finial as of the International style, so-called because it crossed ancient boundaries and is found in Colombia as w

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this metalwork as cast gold.

The museum's collection notes: The two-headed beast that crouches on the top of this object-perhaps a staff finial (head)-holds a human head or perhaps a mask between its paws. The silken surface and simple, elegant design identify the finial as of the International style, so-called because it crossed ancient boundaries and is found in Colombia as well as Costa Rica and Panama.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtStaff Head(?)

Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.