Quimbaya Gold Female Figural Pendant with Dangling PanelsPre-Columbian, Colombia, Quimbaya,...
Quimbaya Gold Female Figural Pendant with Dangling PanelsPre-Columbian, Colombia, Quimbaya, ca. 400–700 CE. A standing female cast in high-karat gold, her broad face composed into narrow lidded eyes, high cheekbones and a small nose ring. She wears a segmented crown flanked by paired coiled spirals, a beaded collar with drop pendant, and banded ornaments at arms, knees and ankles. Both hands grip a finely ribbed bar from which two rectangular sheet-gold panels swing; a matching bar and pair of panels rest beneath her feet, so the whole ornament shimmers and rattles with the wearer's movement. Twin suspension loops behind the neck confirm its use as a pendant, worn as an emblem of rank and likely of ritual authority. Female figures of this scale and refinement are exceptionally rare in Quimbaya goldwork. Size: 5.75" H (14.6 cm H); 115 gms.; 15.3K. gold; XRF tested: Gold 15.3K. 64.5% gold Silver 25.8% Copper 10.4%.
The Quimbaya of the middle Cauca valley were among the most accomplished goldsmiths of the ancient Americas, working chiefly in tumbaga, a gold-copper-silver alloy whose surfaces were often depletion-gilded to a rich yellow. XRF analysis of this figure returns 64.5% gold, 25.8% silver and 10.4% copper, approximately 15.3K, consistent with that tradition.
The suspended sheet panels are a deliberate acoustic and optical device: hung on free-swinging loops, they catch light and clatter softly, animating the figure during procession or dance. Spanish chroniclers recorded such gold regalia worn by chiefs and their kin, and burials of the region have produced pectorals, poporos and figural pendants placed with the dead as markers of lineage and status.
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.).
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 #73125Scattered surface deposits. Intact, excellent condition.
Quimbaya Gold Female Figural Pendant with Dangling PanelsPre-Columbian, Colombia, Quimbaya, ca. 400–700 CE. A standing female cast in high-karat gold, her broad face composed into narrow lidded eyes, high cheekbones and a small nose ring. She wears a segmented crown flanked by paired coiled spirals, a beaded collar with drop pendant, and banded ornaments at arms, knees and ankles. Both hands grip a finely ribbed bar from which two rectangular sheet-gold panels swing; a matching bar and pair of panels rest beneath her feet, so the whole ornament shimmers and rattles with the wearer's movement. Twin suspension loops behind the neck confirm its use as a pendant, worn as an emblem of rank and likely of ritual authority. Female figures of this scale and refinement are exceptionally rare in Quimbaya goldwork. Size: 5.75" H (14.6 cm H); 115 gms.; 15.3K. gold; XRF tested: Gold 15.3K. 64.5% gold Silver 25.8% Copper 10.4%.
The Quimbaya of the middle Cauca valley were among the most accomplished goldsmiths of the ancient Americas, working chiefly in tumbaga, a gold-copper-silver alloy whose surfaces were often depletion-gilded to a rich yellow. XRF analysis of this figure returns 64.5% gold, 25.8% silver and 10.4% copper, approximately 15.3K, consistent with that tradition.
The suspended sheet panels are a deliberate acoustic and optical device: hung on free-swinging loops, they catch light and clatter softly, animating the figure during procession or dance. Spanish chroniclers recorded such gold regalia worn by chiefs and their kin, and burials of the region have produced pectorals, poporos and figural pendants placed with the dead as markers of lineage and status.
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.).
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 #73125Scattered surface deposits. Intact, excellent condition.
