Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Ornament
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Ornament

Artist/Maker (Costa Rica)
Dateca. 700-1550
Mediumgold
DimensionsOverall: 7/8 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (2.2 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Barry Fitzmorris
Terms
    Object number2007.52.20
    DescriptionAround the beginning of the Common Era, Costa Rica adopted gold and copper metallurgy from the northern highlands of modern Colombia. Metals eventually replaced jade in importance as the medium for ritual and status-marking art. Traded among ruling chiefs and other political or religious leaders, gold ornaments such as this one were symbols of prestige and rank. Twin jaguars with long curling tails and snarling teeth are mounted on two parallel bars. Additional small gold ornaments dangle from suspension holes and jingle against the jaguar figures, further accentuating the power of the ornament by bringing it to life. This ornament was likely worn by a high ranking chief and it is one of a very limited number of gold pieces still intact outside of Costa Rica itself. Because Europeans cherished it so highly, much of the pre-Columbian gold art they encountered was melted down and sent to Spain.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Pectoral Ornament
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Necklace
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 300-800
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Crown
    Moche
    100-800
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Funerary Mask
    Lambayeque-Sicán
    800-1350
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jar
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1000-1350
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Jama-Coaque
    200 BCE-600 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ocarina
    Diquis
    ca. 500-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Diquis
    ca. 800-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    The Chief, at Sta. Christina and A Principal Woman of Sta. Christina
    Artist Unknown
    1784-1786
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Storage Vessel (Stamnos)
    Artist Unknown
    6th century BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Pendant
    Sinú
    500-1500
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bowl
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1-500
    eMuseum
    Copyright © eMuseum