It’s not often that a Precolumbian gold piece can be dated with science...but this superb gold crocodile (TF98.70) lent itself to that approach. Sent to Stoetzer, Inc., of Miami for authentication (check out their site at stoetzerinc.com), this stunning beauty was quickly determined to contain its original clay core. A sample of that clay was extracted from the inside the crocodile through a slightly widened hole in one of its legs and then submitted to the Kotalla laboratory in Germany for ther... Click for details
This is one of the most unusual and fun examples of Precolumbian gold we’ve had. Describing the imagery defies the imagination! Dragon? Jaguar? Pop-eyed frog? Probably none of the above, it is more likely and quite simply to be the product of a very imaginative Precolumbian artist and gold smith. Attributed to the Veraguas horizon of Panama, dating c.500-1200AD, the ‘dragon’ sits atop a bell that has a wonderful tinkling resonance. This pendant (TFX116) was lost wax cast using the high copper, l... Click for details
This 2 5/8” tall, simply decorated, spread eagle pendant (TF97.148) is from the Veraguas horizon of Panama dating c.500-1200AD. Identified as a harpy eagle, and usually associated with shamanic transformation, this striking wearable pendant was lost wax cast with gold that tests out at about 14K. In overall very good condition, one of the wings has some incipient cracking caused by light bending of the crystallized gold. There does not appear to be any danger of breakage unless a heavy weight or... Click for details
This phenomenal depiction of the shaman undergoing empowerment is almost pure gold! Worn in Precolumbian Panama by a member of the Veraguas group, the 3 7/8” long pendant (100.80HD) was authenticated and tested as 23K gold by the Orenda laboratory in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s difficult to find the right words to describe an item of such beauty and power, but a similar, only slightly larger piece sold at Sotheby’s years ago for almost $80,000! This extraordinary example of the ancient gold worke... Click for details
Weighing a massive 73.4 grams, this 1 11/16” tall Precolumbian 22K gold bell (100.81HD) is attributed to the Veraguas horizon of Panama, c.500-1200AD. Still retaining its original loose clapper, the toucan-topped bell renders a pleasing though non-resonating tinkling sound. The twin birds represent a theme of dualism frequently noted in Precolumbian art. An unusually attractive example of the great skill exhibited in the art of the ancient gold smith, this beautiful piece, although without a bal... Click for details
Weighing a hefty 58 grams and lost wax cast from 14K gold, this beautifully preserved pectoral pendant (H4015) depicts the image of the harpy eagle, the most powerful of its type in the world, but now a practically extinct bird. This beautiful and wearable pendant, measuring 3 ¾” from wing tip to wing tip, is attributed to the Veraguas horizon of Panama, c.500-1200AD. The image, commonly associated with the shaman, is thought to represent his animal manifestation as he soared above the dense jun... Click for details
Weighing over 55 grams and measuring 3 ¼” in height, this wonderfully crafted anthropomorphic 20-22K gold image (H4154) is said to represent a shaman. Attributed to the Veraguas horizon in Panama, c.500-1200AD, it is one of three different available images that can be put in a row to depict the transformation sequence of shaman to his animal form, in this case a caiman, the South American crocodile. With a bale attached to the recessed back, this powerful piece can be worn. You’ll seldom find or... Click for details
Immense might be a good word to describe this large Precolumbian bold eagle pendant (H4985). Attributed to the Veraguas horizon of Panama, c.500-1200AD, the bird represents the powerful harpy eagle, once a prevalent and revered bird in Central and South America. Weighing 154 grams (6 ounces!) and measuring 6 3/8” from wing tip to wing tip, the bird tests out at about 14K gold using a jeweler’s streak plate and calibrated acids. Surface enriched above 14K in ancient days through the depletion gil... Click for details
This 24” necklace (100.152HD) is made up of hammered, high karat sheet gold hollow beads and an assortment of barrel and disk shaped greenstone beads. All are attributed to the Veraguas horizon of Panama dating c.500-1200AD. It is not known whether these were all found together, but the similarity of type and size would so indicate. Strung on contemporary fishing line, the beads can be worn, but due to the lightweight nature of the gold, care must be taken not to lean against a table edge or som... Click for details
