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Male Figure Pendant

Arts of the Americas

While we do not know the significance of the figures on these gold pendants, the mixture of human and animal attributes suggests a mythical and supernatural universe. The ornaments were worn on necklaces, perhaps by political and religious leaders who recognized and valued their symbolism. The representations of anthropomorphic animals may allude to the transformative powers of shamans or their spirit helpers as they journey to supernatural realms.


Aunque no conocemos el significado de las figuras en estos pendientes de oro, la mezcla de atributos humanos y animales sugiere un universo mítico y sobrenatural. Los ornamentos eran llevados en collares, quizás por líderes políticos y religiosos que reconocían y valoraban su simbolismo. Las representaciones de animales antropomórficos pueden aludir a los poderes transformadores de los chamanes o de sus ayudantes espirituales en sus viajes a los reinos sobrenaturales.
CULTURE Cauca
MEDIUM Cast gold
DATES 900–1500 CE
PERIOD Late Period
DIMENSIONS 4 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 7/8 in. (10.5 x 6.0 x 2.2 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 2001.28.2
CREDIT LINE Gift of the Estate of Alice M. Kaplan
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Cauca. Male Figure Pendant, 900–1500 CE. Cast gold, 4 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 7/8 in. (10.5 x 6.0 x 2.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Estate of Alice M. Kaplan, 2001.28.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2001.28.2_view1_bw.jpg)
IMAGE front, 2001.28.2_view1_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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