Muisca Sheet Gold Bird-Human Pectoral, Colombia (69 gr)
Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Muisca, ca. 1000–1425 CE. A broad sheet-gold pectoral hammered into a stylized avian silhouette, its rounded wings sweeping out above a crescent tail. At the center rises a human figure in high relief, crowned and frontal, its lower body resolving into a bird's tail. Two domed breast bosses sit below, each ringed with faux-braid wire, a motif repeated around the entire perimeter. Upper and lower registers carry rows of segmented, lobster-tail elements terminating in small loops that once suspended dangling gold discs, now absent. A suspension loop on the reverse allowed the plaque to hang at the chest. Such ornaments proclaimed rank and, likely, ritual authority, the wearer transformed into a shining bird-being under Andean light. Size: 5.625" W x 5.875" H (14.3 cm W x 14.9 cm H); 69 gms.; 14.5K gold; XRF analysis: Gold 14.5K Gold: 60.5% Silver: 17% Copper: 22.5%.
XRF analysis records an alloy of 60.5% gold, 17% silver and 22.5% copper (roughly 14.5K), a composition consistent with tumbaga, the gold-copper alloy favored across northern South America. Its lower melting point and greater hardness made large, thin sheets like this one possible, and depletion gilding could raise a pure golden skin over a copper-rich core.
As the Metropolitan Museum observes of this tradition, the Precolumbian peoples of the gold-rich regions of northern South America worked gold extensively, developing ever more complicated techniques of manufacture. Astonishing variety was achieved through the manipulation of color and size and by making objects with multiple parts, dangles being favored additions. Finished color ranged from pink to bright yellow, and bird imagery recurs frequently on pendants made to be worn about the neck.
The Muisca of the Colombian altiplano were the goldsmiths behind the El Dorado legend: at Lake Guatavita a new ruler was said to be coated in gold dust and rafted out to cast offerings into the water. Their votive tunjos and sheet ornaments were made as much for deposition as for display.
Provenance: Collection of Jimmy Belilty, Miami. Acquired from Gerardo Roca, NYC., 1990’s.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
73130
Condition
Upper and lower band of relief lobster tail type elements, which originally had a suspended gold disc elements, now missing. A minor old solder repair on the left above the upper tail edge, a few very minor small creases and scattered very tiny pin holes, otherwise intact, excellent condition.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Muisca, ca. 1000–1425 CE. A broad sheet-gold pectoral hammered into a stylized avian silhouette, its rounded wings sweeping out above a crescent tail. At the center rises a human figure in high relief, crowned and frontal, its lower body resolving into a bird's tail. Two domed breast bosses sit below, each ringed with faux-braid wire, a motif repeated around the entire perimeter. Upper and lower registers carry rows of segmented, lobster-tail elements terminating in small loops that once suspended dangling gold discs, now absent. A suspension loop on the reverse allowed the plaque to hang at the chest. Such ornaments proclaimed rank and, likely, ritual authority, the wearer transformed into a shining bird-being under Andean light. Size: 5.625" W x 5.875" H (14.3 cm W x 14.9 cm H); 69 gms.; 14.5K gold; XRF analysis: Gold 14.5K Gold: 60.5% Silver: 17% Copper: 22.5%.
XRF analysis records an alloy of 60.5% gold, 17% silver and 22.5% copper (roughly 14.5K), a composition consistent with tumbaga, the gold-copper alloy favored across northern South America. Its lower melting point and greater hardness made large, thin sheets like this one possible, and depletion gilding could raise a pure golden skin over a copper-rich core.
As the Metropolitan Museum observes of this tradition, the Precolumbian peoples of the gold-rich regions of northern South America worked gold extensively, developing ever more complicated techniques of manufacture. Astonishing variety was achieved through the manipulation of color and size and by making objects with multiple parts, dangles being favored additions. Finished color ranged from pink to bright yellow, and bird imagery recurs frequently on pendants made to be worn about the neck.
The Muisca of the Colombian altiplano were the goldsmiths behind the El Dorado legend: at Lake Guatavita a new ruler was said to be coated in gold dust and rafted out to cast offerings into the water. Their votive tunjos and sheet ornaments were made as much for deposition as for display.
Provenance: Collection of Jimmy Belilty, Miami. Acquired from Gerardo Roca, NYC., 1990’s.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
73130
Condition
Upper and lower band of relief lobster tail type elements, which originally had a suspended gold disc elements, now missing. A minor old solder repair on the left above the upper tail edge, a few very minor small creases and scattered very tiny pin holes, otherwise intact, excellent condition.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
