Chiriquí. <em>Pendant</em>, 1000-1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 1 x 2 7/8 in. (9.5 x 2.5 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.232. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.232_bw.jpg)

Chiriquí. Pendant, 1000-1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 1 x 2 7/8 in. (9.5 x 2.5 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.232. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.232_bw.jpg)

Chiriquí. Pendant, 1000-1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 1 x 2 7/8 in. (9.5 x 2.5 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.232. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.35.232_view2.jpg)

Chiriquí. Pendant, 1000-1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 1 x 2 7/8 in. (9.5 x 2.5 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.232. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.35.232.jpg)

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Pendant

Arts of the Americas

On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, The Americas’ First Peoples, 4000 B.C.E.–1521 C.E.

In Costa Rica gold animal pendants were often worn by and buried with elite members of Chiriquí society. The eagle’s broad tail and outstretched wings may symbolize the animal’s ability to soar high into the sky and enter the supernatural realm. The spider’s legs end in human hands, which hold a double-headed snake. The abdomen, adorned with a bird and two crocodilian heads, is a bell that would have made a tinkling sound as the wearer moved. Depictions of predatory animals would have inspired awe and respect and provided the wearer with power and protection.

CULTURE Chiriquí

MEDIUM Gold

Place Made: Costa Rica

DATES 1000-1500

DIMENSIONS 3 3/4 x 1 x 2 7/8 in. (9.5 x 2.5 x 7.3 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 35.232

CREDIT LINE Alfred W. Jenkins Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Gold pendant in the form of an eagle.

EXHIBITIONS

American Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, The Americas’ First Peoples, 4000 B.C.E.–1521 C.E.

CAPTION Chiriquí. Pendant, 1000-1500. Gold, 3 3/4 x 1 x 2 7/8 in. (9.5 x 2.5 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.232. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.232_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 35.232_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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