Cleveland Museum of Art
Frog Pendant
- Date
- c. 1000–1550
- Medium
- cast gold
- Culture
- Panama, Veraguas-Chiriquí style, 11th-16th century
- Department
- Art of the Americas
- Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Object ID
- 138879
From the Cleveland Museum of Art record
In general, frogs and toads symbolize life-giving water and the green growth it promotes. More surprising is their mythical role as keepers or donors of fire, an association perhaps enhanced by the bright colors that many frogs "flash" when startled, a form of protection. Brightly colored frogs, including those with golden tones, also produce very poisonous toxins, which in part led to a final connection with the underworld and death.
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Provenance & credit
As published by the source institution. Coverage varies — not every institution's open-data feed includes ownership history.
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Malcolm L. McBride
Part of a LinkedCulture topic
Pre-Columbian Body AdornmentThese 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
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