Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama or Costa Rica, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A striking zoomorphic tumbaga pendant in the form of a frog with bulging eyes, a crouching position, and broad, flattened feet. The frog's front legs present openings for suspending on a chain. Toads and frogs are common iconography in the pre-Columbian New World, where their tadpole-to-land-animal life cycle resulted in them becoming symbols of rebirth. Some toads were also known for their hallucinogenic secretions and toad remains are commonly found in tombs. From the life-giving properties of water, it seems likely that toads were also associated with fertility. This frog may represent a shaman who harnessed the power of these animals. Size: 1.55" W x 2.85" H (3.9 cm x 7.2 cm); tumbaga comprised of gold 54%, copper 45%; weight: 26.5 grams

Provenance: ex-Craig Hendrix collection, South Carolina, USA; ex-Charles Craig Jr. collection, Costa Rica, acquired in the 1960s and 1970s

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#154095

  • Condition: A few small losses from peripheries, notably one front flipper and one decorative flair off the back. Pendant attachment arms are bent. Extensive patina and deposits on surface.

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April 23, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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