Bell Pendant with Animal Motifs

Bell Pendant with Animal Motifs

800–1522 CE
Culture
Greater Chiriqui
Country
Costa Rica
Style/Tradition
Diquís
Object
pendant
Medium
Gold Alloy
Accession Number
1996.109
Credit Line
Collection of Frederick and Jan Mayer

Unknown artist, Diquís Delta, Greater Chiriqui, Costa Rica. Bell Pendant with Animal Motifs, 800–1522 CE. Gold alloy, 2 ¾ x 2 ⅞ x ¾ inches. Denver Art Museum Collection: Gift of the Collection of Frederick and Jan Mayer, 1996.109.

Dimensions
height: 2 3/4 in, 6.9850 cm; width: 2 7/8 in, 7.3025 cm; depth: 3/4 in, 1.9050 cm
Department
Mayer Center, Arts of the Ancient Americas
Collection
Arts of the Ancient Americas
This object is currently on view

Bell Pendant with Animal Motifs
About A.D. 500–1550
Costa Rica, Diquís region
Gold alloy
Gift of Frederick and Jan Mayer; 1996.109

At the center of this large gold pendant is a composite deer-bird creature whose rounded belly is a bell. The legs are replaced by four smaller deer heads, and at the base is a flared bird tail. Encircling the deer-bird is a braided arch, and an outer frame composed of seven four-legged creatures with curly tails and birdlike heads.

The pendant was made using the lost-wax casting process, which involves making a wax model of the desired object, then encasing it in clay to form a mold. Heating the mold melts the wax, and molten metal is then poured into the mold. After cooling, the clay mold is broken away. Objects produced in this manner are thus unique.

Known Provenance
Spencer Throckmorton (Fine Arts of Ancient Lands, Inc.), New York; Purchased by Frederick R. [1928-2007] and Jan Mayer, Denver, CO, 1982 [1]; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 1996 [1] On loan to the Denver Art Museum, 1993