South America - Colombia
Tolima
Gold & Metals Exhibit
Tolima Gold Objects
Gold and precious metal objects from the Tolima culture of
Colombia
In the hot mid-Magdalena
valley and on the slopes of the central and eastern ranges in northern Huila
and Tolima provinces, remains dating back 16,000 years have been found that
were left by groups of hunters, fishermen and gatherers. Later, fish,
lizards, crickets and fantastic beings in which features of various species
were combined were cast in gold. Symmetrical pendants evoke man in different
degrees of schematization, while men, bats and feline figures merge in a
continuous stream of transformations. In one breastplate found in Calarcá,
Quindío, the human body is restricted to two dimensions but is set in
multiple symmetries, the whole being brought to life by the shine and the
skilful play of the decorative motifs. The backs of funeral chairs portray
the human figure in schematized form, surrounded by amphibians and reptiles.
A well tomb that
was dug out in Suárez, Tolima, shows that gold was not the only symbol of
power and hierarchy, as it contained objects made of shell and clay.
Tolima ornament in the form of a
human-headed bird -
0 - 550 d.C. 16 x 8,7 cm
Museo
del Oro, Bogotá
Abstract Figure Pendant Tolima
(Central Highlands)
Colombia,
c. 100-900
The Cleveland Museum of Art Collection
Tolima Avian Pendant
Museo
del Oro, Bogotá
click photos
to
enlarge
Gold Pectoral Or Appliqué 0 - 550 d.C.
El Dragón, Calarcá, Quindío 23,4 x 25,7
Columbian
Gold Museum
Gold Pectoral 0 - 550 d.C.
Campo hermoso, Ataco, Tolima 33,8 x 15,5
Columbian
Gold Museum
Complex Gold Cast Pendant - Note
Tail Lever 0 - 550 d.C.
Campohermoso, Ataco, Tolima 5,7 x 1,7 cm
Columbian
Gold Museum
"These people are right to think that there
is more to
man than his mortal body; they do not understand
it is his soul, but rather think that it is some
transformation, and they believe that all
bodies resurrect".
Pedro Cieza de León, 1533
Gold Cast Pendant
From Campohermoso, Ataco, Tolima. 0 - 500 d.C.
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In the hot mid-Magdalena
valley and on the slopes of the central and eastern ranges in northern Huila
and Tolima provinces, remains dating back 16,000 years have been found that
were left by groups of hunters, fishermen and gatherers. Later, fish,
lizards, crickets and fantastic beings in which features of various species
were combined were cast in gold. Symmetrical pendants evoke man in different
degrees of schematization, while men, bats and feline figures merge in a
continuous stream of transformations. In one breastplate found in Calarcá,
Quindío, the human body is restricted to two dimensions but is set in
multiple symmetries, the whole being brought to life by the shine and the
skilful play of the decorative motifs. The backs of funeral chairs portray
the human figure in schematized form, surrounded by amphibians and reptiles.
to
enlarge
