Cleveland Museum of Art

Insect Bell Pendant

Date

400–1100

Medium

gold, cast

Culture

Isthmian Region (Panama), Coclé, 5th century-12th century

Department

Art of the Americas

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The identity of the creature depicted in this exquisite small pendant is unclear; it may combine features from the marine and insect worlds. A pellet inside the creature's body rattles when the pendant moves. The practice of crafting gold objects in Panama dates back nearly 2,000 years.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.