Double Bird-Headed Figure Pendant

Cleveland Museum of Art

Double Bird-Headed Figure Pendant

Date
c. 1000–1500
Medium
cast and hammered gold
Culture
Costa Rica, Diquís region, 11th-16th century
Department
Art of the Americas
Institution
Cleveland Museum of Art
Object ID
128821

From the Cleveland Museum of Art record

Among the pendants shown here are a crustacean (1943.290), an animal-headed figure (1948.18), and two pendants featuring birds (1951.442 and 1946.223). The latter were dubbed aguilas (eagles) by Christopher Columbus, who saw natives wearing them as necklace ornaments. Modern researchers are not as sure of the species shown, but some believe that they are birds of prey because talons and beaks are prominent and often clutch something, in one example here a small, disembodied head that holds a clapper. In both examples, two tufts in the form of crocodiles in profile flank the birds’ heads.

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Provenance & credit

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Credit line
Thirty-fifth anniversary gift in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Humphreys, Gift of their daughter, Helen

Part of a LinkedCulture topic

  • Representative object from the topic Pre-Columbian Body Adornment
    Pre-Columbian Body Adornment

    These objects are personal ornaments and jewelry worn by ancient Mesoamerican and Andean cultures, including ear ornaments, nose ornaments, plaques, and costume decorations made from precious metals, stone, shell, and ce

    359 objects from 4 institutions

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