Pre-Columbian Gold Quimbaya Necklace with Six Frogs

Southern Costa Rica or Western Panama, circa 800 to 1500 AD. A very fine example of the goldwork of the Veraguas-Chiriqui-Diquis region. A pendant in Carbonera style of a supernatural being, a composite monster with human torso and feline (probably jaguar) head. The figure is set in a frame decorated with little animal heads, one at each corner. The hands have also turned into animal heads. In place of genitalia is a stylized serpent head suspended by a twisted cord that was supposed to continue across the frame. A minor casting accident prevented it form being attached to the frame. A modern goldsmith would solder in two short lengths of twisted wire, but the ancient goldsmith did not have the equipment to make such repair. A double thread ending in spirals goes across the frame behind the neck of the figure, helping to fill up the frame and avoiding a large empty space. The word "thread" reminds us that the twisted and straight cords were, in the original wax model of the pendant really extruded wax threads, turned into metal by the lost wax (cire perdue) process. The braid pattern on the frame is illusory, just two twisted threads of extruded wax laid side by side. The goldsmith made the toes out of extruded wax thread too, very decorative as well. The piece comes with a certificate of authenticity by Mr. Robert Sonin, 5 May 2006. ref. photo roll 3301. A world renowned expert on Pre-Columbian Artifacts...

Natural pink tourmaline necklace (167 gms) with rare gold Veraguas/Diquis supernatural drummer. Very fine example of ancient, Precolumbian goldwork form Central America, either Costa Rica or Panama. 111 grams of blush pink gold made with “lost wax” technique. The music he plays is not for entertainment, but rather to create magic, casting a spell or summoning other supernatural beings. Healing was the most important function of shamans, both the mortal and the immortal kind. Such a magical pendant...

A large sheet gold mask depicting a stylized human face having an individually fashioned and applied nose. Large low relief repousse eyes and rectangular mou...

A high karat heavy sheet gold human face mask with large almond-shaped eyes and recessed pierced pupils. Multiple small perforations along the upper and lower edges for attachment. L...

Pal Kepenyes is a sculptor and researcher of Hungarian art, whose artistic production includes sculptures of small and medium format, jewelry and miniature decorative pieces, all mad...

- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '80s - 2" x 2" - Gold plate over sterling silver (stamped sterling) - Museum reproduction of Chiriqui frog - Circa 19...

A blast from an ancient past! Vintage Pre-Columbian style frog earrings with lever backed post hardware hallmarked 900 for coin silver and 10K for a gold vermeil wash. The frogs ar...

Vintage Pal Kepenyes bronze/brass necklace, 20th century. This Hungarian born artist worked in Mexico for decades, known for free-form sculptural jewelry...