Animal-Headed Figure Pendant

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Animal-Headed Figure Pendant as metalwork (Costa Rica, Diquís region, 11th-16th century · c. 1000–1550).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

Among the pendants shown here are a crustacean (1943.290), an animal-headed figure (1948.18), and two pendants featuring birds (1951.442 and 1946.223). The latter were dubbed aguilas (eagles) by Christopher Columbus, who saw natives wearing them as necklace ornaments.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this metalwork as cast gold.

The museum's collection notes: Among the pendants shown here are a crustacean (1943.290), an animal-headed figure (1948.18), and two pendants featuring birds (1951.442 and 1946.223). The latter were dubbed aguilas (eagles) by Christopher Columbus, who saw natives wearing them as necklace ornaments. Modern researchers are not as sure of the species shown, but some believe that they are birds of prey because talons and beaks are prominent and often clutch something, in one example here a small, disembodied head that holds a clapper. In both examples, two tufts in the form of crocodiles in profile flank the birds’ heads.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtAnimal-Headed Figure Pendant

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