An Important Diquis Gold Figure. c. 700-1400 AD...

Description

An Important Diquis Gold Figure
c. 700-1400 AD

Handsomely crafted, finely detailed hollow cast tumbaga, depicting a male in a semi-seated position, holding a staff with bird head finial in his proper left and a staff or axe with celt in his right. Wearing a large two-part headdress with cog-like projections along the perimeter. He is naked aside from wearing a three-strand beaded necklace, coiled tubular earrings, and a four-strand headband. A hole framed by two circles at crown of head. The back of head, torso, and legs with openwork spiral designs and a loop for suspension. In excellent condition.

Provenance:
Enrique Vargas Alfaro, 1960s. Mr. Alfaro was the source of high quality Pre-Columbian art sold to prestigious collections such as Andre Emmerich, Morton D. May, Frederick and Jan Mayer, and William C. and Carol W. Thibadeau. Artworks listing him as provenance appear in the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, The Denver Art Museum, and the William C. Carlos Museum.
Private collection, Atlanta, GA.

Height: 4 inches


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