A Superb Quimbaya Gold Pendant...

Description

A Superb Quimbaya Gold Pendant
Colombia, c. 500 - 1000 AD

This finely crafted pendant depicts a human head with a serene expression, modeled with striking clarity and in the style characteristic of Quimbaya goldwork. The head is crowned by a segmented headband or diadem, and the nose septum is pierced with a double winged bar-shaped ornament, a type of nose ring emblematic of status. The ears are carefully formed, each pierced twice to receive rings, an attention to detail that reflects the importance of body ornamentation in ancient Colombia. An unusual and unique feature of this head pendant is an etched line curving from under the ears and down to the corners of the mouth. At the reverse, two loops for suspension indicate the pendant was intended to be worn, likely as part of a larger assemblage of elite regalia. In excellent condition, small area of exposed silver under the proper right eye. With a custom stand and mount.

Gold pendants of this type were not only personal adornments but also served as a powerful insignia, projecting both social prestige and ritual authority. The choice of tumbaga, a gold-copper alloy, allowed for a warm surface color and technical versatility, while the imagery linked the wearer to ancestral and spiritual forces. The representation of the human head, crowned and with the unusual facial scarification, may refer to the idealized image of a lineage founder or shamanic figure.

Provenance:
Ex-collection: Rubin Ortiz, Santa Fe, NM, acquired prior to 1970

Height: 2 ¼ inches

More Information: XRF Results: 55% Gold; 38% Copper; 6% Silver.
Weight: 46 grams


Estimate: $50,000 - $70,000.

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