Exhibiting Historical Art: Out of the Vault: Stories of People and Things

Gold Eagle Pendants

Gold bird-form pendants were a favored form of personal ornament in ancient Central America, and are perhaps the best known type of Pre-Columbian gold object. They were made to be worn suspended around the neck, and while the pendants differ in specific details, the basic configuration is usually the same- extended wings over open, splayed tails and heads, and beaks that project strongly forward. These personal ornaments were fabricated in many sizes; some are barely an inch high and may have been made for children, while others, such as this example, would fully adorn a large male chest. 

Contents of this path:

  1. Bribri mythology
  2. Bird-form Significance
  3. Pre-Columbian Gold Significance
  4. Further Reading

This page has tags:

  1. World Map Lauren Linquest

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