Isthmian Region (Colombia), Calima, Yotoco period / 1–800 CE
Pectoral (Chest Ornament)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Pectoral (Chest Ornament) as metalwork (Isthmian Region (Colombia), Calima, Yotoco period · 1–800 CE).
Calima bilobed pectorals are among the largest torso ornaments ever made in the ancient Americas.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as gold, hammered.
The museum's collection notes: Bilobed pectorals are some of the most flamboyant objects created by artists in Colombia’s Calima region. Chiefs apparently wore such pectorals—among the largest torso adornments ever created in the ancient Americas—with other gold objects, including bracelets, dramatic headdress adornments, and ear and nose ornaments like those shown on the pectoral itself. Thus, they armored themselves in gold, which likely had complex symbolism; for instance, it may have been associated with the sun and thereby with nourishing cosmic energies and positive moral behavior.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPectoral (Chest Ornament)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.