Cast Costa Rican Gold

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Welcome To The Online Museum Of Pre-columbian Gold

Costa Rican
Cast Gold Exhibit

Zoomorphic
Zoomorphic pre-columbian gold designs depicting an animalistic shape or design

Zoomorphic Pendant
10x15.2cm (3.9x6in)

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Pendant
2.8x4.4cm (1.1x1.7in)
Weight: 26.2 grams

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Pendant
4x7.5cm (1.6x3in)

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Pendant
8.3x14cm (3.3x5.5in)

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Pendant
11.5x13.7cm (4.5x5.4in)

Private Collection

Double-Headed Zoomorphic Pendant
9.9x9.8cm (3.9x3.9in)

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Bell Pendant
3.8cm (1.5in)

Private Collection

Double-Figured Zoomorphic Pectoral
12.3x14.5cm (4.8x5.7in)

Private Collection

Double Headed Zoomorphic Pendant
10.4x8.3cm (4.1x3.3 in)

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Bell Pendant
4.8cm (1.9in)

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Pendant
12.5x8.4cm (4.9x3.3in)

Private Collection

Three Head Circular Zoomorph Breast Plate

BCCR Collection

click photos

to enlarge

Unknown Zoomorph Pendant
500-1000 A.D. - 2in

Private Collection

Curly-Tailed Animal Pendant
2.5cm
Chiriqui culture

Private Collection

Unknown Zoomorph Bell
Possibly Crocodilian

Veragua Region

Private Collection

Double-End Animal Pendant
500-800 AD - 2 in.

Metropolitan Museum Of Art Collection

Zoomorph Pendant
800-1500 A.D. - 4in

Private Collection

Double Headed Zoomorph / Avian-Reptile Cross Pendant
500-1000 A.D. - 1in

Private Collection

Zoomorph Animal Pendant
Chiriquí
A.D. 900 - 1520
Gold, Weight 236.83 grams
Height 1 7/8 in. Length 4 7/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Mythical Animal Pendant:
Diquís
A.D. 900 - 1500
Gold, Weight 168.96 grams
Height 4 5/16 in. Width 3 ½ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Zoomorphic Animal Pendant
Chiriquí
A.D. 900 - 1520
Gold, Weight 106.91 grams
Length 3 5/16 in. Height 1 ¾ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Zoomorphic Animal Pendant Diquis

Private Collection

Zoomorphic Animal Pendant

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Stub-Tail Jaguar? cast gold pendant

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Avian
Avian pre-columbian gold designs depicting bird like designs or motifs

Eagle Pendant

BCCR Collection

Pendants were worn as emblems of prestige and power. In many, an eagle spreads its wings and extends its talons in an attack pose.

In several, you can see a double-headed serpent emerging from the eagle's head. Such images are thought to depict various stages of the transformation of a shaman, a religious practitioner with magical powers.

Bird-form pendants are found throughout southern Costa Rica and northern Panama regions, and are perhaps the most typical metal artifacts of the region.

Christopher Columbus was the first European to name these objects "eagle pendants" when he saw them being worn by the peoples of the eastern coastal region of Costa Rica during his fourth voyage along Caribbean Central America in the early 1500s.

Eagle Pendant
Diquís region
Chiriquí culture

Gilded Metal and Cast Gold

North Carolina Museum of Art collection

Eagle Pendant with attached plates

Avian Pendant
Diquis region
12.8cmx13.5cm (5x5.3in)
Weight: 122.6 grams

Private Collection

Eagle (Avial) Pendant
Veraguas Region
20mm

Private collection

Eagle (Avial) Pendant
Veraguas Region
2.75in

Private collection

Avian Pendant
Diquis region
9cm (3.5in)
Weight: 84.5 grams

Private Collection

Avian Bell Pendant
3cm (1.2in)

Private Collection

Avian Pendant
7.1x6.8cm (2.8x2.7in)

Private Collection

Avian Pendant
7.6cm (3in)

Private Collection

Avian Pendant
Diquis region
9cm

Private Collection

Harpy Eagle Pendant
4.4cm (1.7in)
Weight: 21.2 grams

Private Collection

Harpy Eagle or Vulture Pendant
5.1cm (x2in)
Weight: 20.1 grams

Private Collection

Eagle Pendant
Veraguas region
9cm (3.5in)
Weight: 87.2 grams

Private Collection

Eagle Pendant

Xanthos Collection

Eagle Pendant, with Crocodile Headdress

BCCR Collection

Bird Pendant

BCCR Collection

Eagle Pendant

BCCR Collection

Bird Pendant

BCCR Collection

Bird Pendant

BCCR Collection

Bird Pendant
700-1500 A.D. - 2in
Atlantic Water Shed

Private Collection

Eagle Pendant
2.5in.

Private Collection

Double Headed Eagle Pendant

Veraguas Region

Double-Eagle Pendant
100–500AD

Metropolitan Museum Of Art Collection

Eagle Pendant
5in.

Saint Petersburg (FL) Museum of Fine Arts Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Bird-form Pendant

Bird-form Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 73.2 grams
Height 2 3/8 in. Width 3 ¼ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Copper, Weight 21 grams
Height 2 ½ in. Width 2 7/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
A.D. 700 - 1500
Costa Rica
Gold
Height 4 ¾ in. Width 3 5/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Panama or Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 65.4 grams
Height 3 in. Width 4 ¼ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 45.1 grams
Height 2 1/2 in. Width 2 1/2 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 36.2 grams
Height 2 5/8 in. Width 2 3/4 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird Figure, Ritually Killed
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold (low grade), Weight 46.4 grams
Height 3 ¾ in. Width 1 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 14.8 grams
Height 2 3/8 in. Width 2 1/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Crossed Beak
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 13 grams
Height 2 ¼ in. Width 2 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Avian Pendant with Wing-Style Ears
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1520
Gold, Weight 69.1 grams
Height 3 7/8 in. Width 3 7/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 500 - 1550
Gold, Weight 178.2 grams
Height 6 in. Width 5 ¼ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pendant: Bird with Human Arms
Veraguas, Chiriquí
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 67.6 grams
Height 3 3/8 in. Width 2 5/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Double Bird Pendant
Veraguas, Chiriquí, Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1520
Gold, Weight 66.1 grams
Height 2 11/16 in. Width 4 3/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Veraguas or Chiriquí
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 82.8 grams
Height 4 ½ in. Width 4 ¾ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Diquís, Veraguas, Chiriquí
A.D. 700/800 - 1520
Gold, Weight 106.31 grams
Height 4 1/8 in. Width 4 1/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Diquís Delta
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 133.66 grams
Height 3 ½ in. Width 3 ¾ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 178.8 grams
Height 4 ½ in. Width 4 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Diquís or Veraguas
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 135.6 grams
Height 4 ½ in. Width 3 ¼ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Diquís Delta
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 135.45 grams
Height 4 ½ in. Width 4 3/32 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird-form Pendant
Diquís Delta
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 132.01 grams
Height 4 5/16 in. Width 3 13/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Double-headed Bird-form Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 178.57 grams
Height 4 1/16 in. Width 4 7/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Bird Pendant
Diquís
Costa Rica
11th-16th century

The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection

Double Headed Bird Pendant
Diquís
Costa Rica
11th-16th century

The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection

Eagle Pendant, 11th–16th century
Costa Rica; Chiriquí
Cast gold; H. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)

Cast Gold Eagle pendant
Diquís or Gran Chiriquí, A.D. 900–1520 2.2 x 2.5 cm (7/8 x 1 in.)
Gold

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Bird imagery remained important to indigenous belief in the region into the twentieth century. Many varieties of birds abound in Central America, and there is much speculation about the species represented on the pendants, given the great variety in the shapes and sizes of the beaks. Some researchers believe that they are birds of prey because of the prominent beaks and claws and the various items often held in them. This example holds both a small fish and a double-headed snake in its beak.

Advanced Gold work Designs
Technologically advanced pre-columbian gold pendant design

Front View

Hinged Zoomorph Bird Monster Head Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 110.2 grams
Height 3 ¾ in. Width 3 5/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Back View

Side View

Detail Of Hinge Head

click photos

to enlarge

Note the neck hinge in this Zoomorphic piece

Costa Rica Nacional Museum Of Gold - Banco Central De Costa Rica Collection

Ornamental
Ornamental pre-columbian gold designs or motifs without animal or human characteristics

Ornamental Pendant

BCCR Collection

Gold Bells
1400 A.D. - .5in each
Atlantic Water Shed/Guayabo

Private Collection

Three Bells
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 41.3 grams
Length 1 1/8 in. (2 largest bells)

The Hendershott Collection

Gold Bells
500-1000 A.D. - 0.5in ea.

Private Collection

Ear Ornaments
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Copper, Weight 110 grams
Height 3 ½ in. Width 1 7/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Three C-shaped Rings
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 43.1 grams
(A) Height 1 3/16 in. Width 1 8/16 in.
(B) Height 1 1/16 in. Width 1 5/16 in.
(C) Height 15/16 in. Width 1 1/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Feline
Feline pre-columbian gold designs depicting cat like designs or motifs

Jaguar Pendant

BCCR Collection

Staff Head with a Feline Figure
Diquis region
5cm (2in)
Weight: 85.2 grams

Private Collection

Jaguar Pendant
4cm (1.6in)

Private Collection

Jaguar Pendant
8.2cm (3.2in)
Weight: 95.5 grams

Private Collection

Jaguar Pendant
12.5cm

Private Collection

Jaguar Pendant
7cm (2.8in)

Private Collection

Prone Feline Pendant

Private Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant, Four Animals in a Row

Four Animals in a Row Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 200 - 700
Tumbaga, Weight 30.7 grams
Height 1 1/8 in. Width 2 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Jaguar with a Human Leg in its Mouth Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 900 - 1520
Gold, Weight 54.51 grams
Length 2 5/8 in. Width 1 5/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

click photos

to enlarge

Shamanistic / Demonistic
Shaman or demon pre-columbian gold designs depicting a shaman dressed in mask or costume or a demonistic figure

Circular Shaman Pendant
3.2cm (1.3in)

Private Collection

Demonistic Pendant

BCCR Collection

Demonistic Pendant

BCCR Collection

Shamanic (Avian Costumed) Pendant
7.7x8.1cm (3x3.2in)

Private Collection

Demonistic Pendant
(appears on Costa Rican currency)

BCCR Collection

Two headed pendant
Palmar Sur region
Greater Chiriquí culture
Era 1000 CE
7.5x5.9cm
Weight 64.4 grams

BCCR collection

Human Figure Pendant

BCCR collection

Anthropomorphic Pendant
5.8x5.2cm (2.3x2in)

Private Collection

Shamanistic Pendant
26mm

Figure wears concentric circular ear pendants, appears to wear horns, and he holds a rattle in each hand

Private collection

Masked Shaman Pendant
4.4cm (1.7in)
Weight: 12.7 grams

Private Collection

Shaman Lime Bottle
1000-1500 A.D. - 4in

Private Collection

Ornate Shaman Pendant
500-1000 A.D. - 4in

Private Collection

Shaman Pendant
5.1cm (2in)

Private Collection

Shaman Pendant
9cm (3.5in)
Weight: 117.3 grams

Private Collection

Anthropomorphic Pendant
10.8cm

Private Collection

Shamanic Figure
9.5cm (3.7in)

Private Collection

Gold Nugget with Carved Humanoid Figure
Veraguas region
5.7cm (2.2in)
Weight: 100.3 grams

Private Collection

Human Figure Pendant

BCCR collection

Demonistic Pendant

BCCR collection

Gold Mask Adornment
9.5x11.5cm

Private Collection

Precolumbian gold figure representing a shaman

Shamanic Figure

BCCR Collection

Shamanistic Pendant

BCCR collection

Shamanic Figure

Private Collection

Shamanic/Warrior Figure
1200 A.D. - 3.5in
Diquis Zone

Private Collection

Shamanic/Warrior Figure
1500 A.D. - 2.75in

Private Collection

Shaman Figure
500-1000 A.D. - 4in

Private Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant DeityA.D. 1000 - 1300Gold, Weight 14 gramsHeight 2 1/4 in. Width 1 1/2 in.

Pendant Deity
Unknown
A.D. 1000 - 1300
Gold, Weight 14 grams
Height 2 1/4 in. Width 1 1/2 in

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Shaman with Arms Raised

Shaman with Arms Raised
Chiriquí or Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 30.1 grams
Height 3 in. Width 1 ½ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant: Standing Shaman Figure Tumbaga, Weight 7.8 gramsHeight 2 ¼ Width 1 ¼

Standing Shaman Figure Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 7.8 grams
Height 2 ¼ Width 1 ¼

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant: Standing Male Figure

Standing Male Figure Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 37.5 grams
Height 2 1/8 in. Width 1 ½

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Frontal Shaman Figure

Frontal Shaman Figure Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 9.4 grams
Height 2 3/8 in. Width 1 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Shaman with Flexed Legs

Shaman with Flexed Legs Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 25.5 grams
Height 3 in. Width 1 ½ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant: Three-figure Shamanic Group

Three-figure Shamanic Group Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 115.1 grams
Height 3 ¼ in. Width 3 ¼ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant: Shamanic Figure

Shamanic Figure Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 82.1 grams
Height 4 ¼ in. Width 2 7/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Man with Rattles and Serrated Headdress
Chiriquí
A.D. 1000 - 1550
Gold, Weight 61.1 grams
Height 2 ¾ in. Width 2 5/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant: Figure holding a Group of Birds

Figure holding a Group of Birds Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 33.8 grams
Height 1 7/8 in. Width 2 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Standing Shaman Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 110.2 grams
Height 3 ¾ in. Width 3 5/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Deity Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 66.6 grams
Height 3 3/8 in. Width 3 3/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Shaman Holding Rattles Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 84.1 grams
Height 3 1/16 in. Width 2 3/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Male Shaman Holding Rattles Pendant
Chiriquí
A.D 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 110.1 grams
Height 4 ¼ in. Width 2 3/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Shaman Pendant
Diquís Delta Area
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 114.18 grams
Height 3 1/16 in. Width 4 1/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Shaman Pendant
Diquís Region
Southern Costa Rica
c. 700-1550 AD

The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection

Insect-Headed Figure Pendant
Diquís region
Costa Rica
11th-16th century

Shamanic/Warrior Figure
holding lime bottles?
1200 A.D. - 3.5in
Diquis Zone

Private Collection

Winged Figure Pendant Southern Costa Rica, (Diquís Region), Diquís Style, 11th-16th century

The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection

Figure Pendant
Southern Costa Rica, (Diquís Region), Diquís Style, 11th-16th century
c. 1000-1550

The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection

Bat-Nosed Figure Pendant, 13th–16th century
Costa Rica; Diquís
Cast gold; H. 3 in. (7.6 cm)

Dual figure pendant of musicians playing instruments - 72mm - Diquis Culture 750-1550 CE (AD)

British Museum

Crowned Figure with two snakes emerging from his head cast gold pendant

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Supplicant figure cast gold pendant

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Primate
Primate or monkey pre-columbian gold designs depicting monkeys or other primate animal motifs

Monkey Pendant

BCCR collection

Monkey Bell Pendant
3.8cm (1.5in)
Weight: 29.5 grams

Private Collection

Monkey Bell Pendant
3.8cm

Private Collection

Monkey Figure Pendant
Chiriqui culture
7.3cm (2.9in)
Weight: 89.8 grams

Private Collection

Double Monkey Ring Pendant
8.3x6cm (3.3x2.4in)

Private Collection

Amphibian
Amphibian pre-columbian gold designs depicting frog or amphibian design motifs

Frog Pendant
4.5cm (1.8in)
Weight: 15.7 grams

Private Collection

Frog Pendant

Private Collection

Pendant Depicting Five Frogs
7cm (2.8in)
Weight: 22.4 grams

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
5.1x4.5cm (2x1.8in)

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
8.1cm (3.2 in)

Private Collection

Frog Pendant with Snakes
5.1cm (2in)

Private Collection

Frog Pendant with Snakes
6x5cm

Dell America Collection

Ornate Frog Pendant
800-1500 A.D. - 2in

Private Collection

Ornate Frog Pendant
800-1500 A.D. - 2.25in

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
800-1500 A.D. - 3.75in
Veraguas Region

Private Collection

Row Of Frogs Pendant
500-1000 A.D. - 2in
Atlantic Water Shed

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
1000-1500 A.D. - 1x1.5in
Atlantic Water Shed

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
800-1500 A.D. - 2in

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
500-1000 A.D. - 2in

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
500-1000 A.D. - 2in

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
1000-1500 A.D. - 2in

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
800-1500 A.D. - 2in.

Private Collection

Frog Pendant
1000-1500 AD - 4 1/8 in.
Chiriqui Region
Burica Peninsula, Puerto González Víquez

Metropolitan Museum Of Art Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Zoomorphic Pendants

Zoomorphic Pendants
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, (A)Weight 35.8 grams (B) Weight 14 grams
(A)Length 3 1/8 in. Width 2 1/8 in.
(B)Length 2 1/8 in. Width 1 ¾ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Frog-form Pendant

Frog-form Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 10.1 grams
Length 1 ½ in. Width 1 1/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Frog-form Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga, Weight 13.1 grams
Height 1 ¾ in. Width 1 ¼ in.

The Hendershott Collection

click photos

to enlarge

Four Frog-form Pendants
Costa Rica
A.D. 700/800 - 1500
Tumbaga
(A) Height 2 in. Width 2 ¼ in. Weight 25.1 grams
(B) Height 2 ¼ in. Width 1 ½ in. Weight 26.0 grams
(C) Height 1 3/8 in. Width ¾ in. Weight 4.1 grams
(D) Height 1 in. Width 1 3/8 in. Weight 5.9 grams

The Hendershott Collection

Frog-form Pendant
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 10.1 grams
Height 1 ½ in. Width ¾ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Frog Pendant with Double-headed Serpent
Costa Rica
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 32.4 grams
Height 2 in. Width 1 ¾ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Double Frog Pendant
Chiriquí
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold, Weight 60.5 grams
Height 2 ½ in. Width 3 5/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Frog Pendant with Spiral on Head
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1550
Gold, Weight 47.8 grams
Height 2 5/8 in. Width 2 ¾ in.

The Hendershott Collection

Pendant Frog
Chiriquí
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold,
Weight 63.1 grams
Length 3 in. Width 3 1/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Double Frog Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold
Weight 123.76 grams
Height 4 5/8 in. Width 2 11/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Frog Form Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold
Weight 65.91 grams
Height 3 7/16 in. Width 3 13/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Frog Form Pendant
Diquís

Private Collection

Chiriqui (Panamanian) Gold Pendant - 7th-10th century - hollow cast gold and copper alloy
3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm)

Continue Your Exploration...

Explore Central American Pre-columbian Jade at www.PrecolumbianJade.com »

Visit The Lost Cloud City Of Guayabo At www.GuayaboCostaRica.com »

Learn About Costa Rican Archaeology At www.CostaRicanArchaeology.com »

Find Pre-columbian Art Collections Around The World
www.PrecolumbianMuseums.com »

Cast Gold Frog Pendant, 11th–16th century - Costa Rica; Chiriquí - Gold; H. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)

The forms of the brilliantly colored tree frogs that populate the rain forests of Costa Rica and Panama frequently appear in the goldwork of the region. Cast by the lost-wax process, the representation varies from naturalistic to abstract and stylized. The lifelike, smooth surface and three-dimensional form of the frog's head, abdomen, and legs contrast with the flattened feet and stylized serpentine tongue. This elaborate bifurcated tongue formally balances the large feet and creates harmony. The hole in the foot seen on the left is a casting flaw. Although not visible from the front, a suspension loop is located at each side of the head.

Jan Mitchell and Sons Collection

Cast gold frog pendant

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Marine
Marine pre-columbian gold designs depicting fish or other marine animal motifs

Lobster Pendant

Private Collection

Lobster Pendant
5.7cm (2.2in)

Private Collection

costa rica musuems, san jose gold museum costa rica

Lobster Pendant

CR Gold Museum Collection

Lobster Pendant
1000-1500 A.D. - 2.5in

Private Collection

Crab Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1550
Gold
Weight 71.2 grams
Height 2 ½ in. Width 2 1/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Shark Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold
Weight 134.6 grams
Length 5 1/16 in. Width 3 1/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Lobster Pendant
Diquís
Costa Rica
11th-16th century

The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection

Reptiles
Reptile pre-columbian gold designs depicting lizards, snakes, crocodiles, or other reptile motifs

Crocodile Eating a Human Pendant

Private Collection

Crocodile Figure
10.8 cm

Private Collection

Fantasy Animal Pair on Bar
Veraguas, Chiriquí, or Diquís
A.D. 200 - 700
Gold, Weight 53.1 grams
Height 2 ¼ in. Width 1 ½ in.

Crocodile Pendant
800-1500 A.D. - 3in

Private Collection

SUPERB PRECOLUMBIAN CROCODILE PENDANT, PANAMA

Crocodile Pendant
1200 A.D. - 4in

Veragua Region
Private Collection

PRECOLUMBIAN GOLD LIZARD PENDANT, PANAMA

Iguana Pendant
Tumbaga Gold
500-1200 A.D. - 5.12in

Veragua Region
Private Collection

Double headed lizard/crocodille 68mm x 59mm

Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

click photos

to enlarge

Lizard cast gold pendant

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Turtles
Turtle pre-columbian gold designs depicting land & sea turtle motifs

Turtle Pendant
Diquis Region

Private Collection

Turtle Pendant

Private Collection

Turtle-form Bell Pendant
Chiriquí
A.D. 700 - 1500
Gold
Weight 87.0 grams
Length 3 1/8 in. Width 2 11/16 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Double headed Turtle - Pendant, gold, 4,9 x 4,7 cm

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Other Animals
Other pre-columbian gold animal designs depicting specific animal designs or motifs

Four Individual Peccary Pendants
Each approx. 2.6cm

Private Collection

Eight Individual Peccary Pendants

BCCR collection

Spider & Bell Pendant

BCCR collection

Tapir Pendant
3.8cm (1.5in)
Weight: 18.8 grams

Private Collection

Tapir Pendant

Private Collection

1000-1500 A.D.
L: 2"

Pre-Columbian:Metal/Gold, Pendant: Pair of Bats

Pair of Bats Pendant
Diquís
A.D. 700 - 1500
Tumbaga
Weight 29.2 grams
Height 1 3/8 in. Width 1 7/8 in.

The Hendershott Collection

Scorpion Pendant
1000-1500 A.D. - 2in

Private Collection