Quimbaya Gold Pendant Depicting a Shaman

Culture: Quimbaya Region: Colombia (Urabá region, Antioquia) Date/Origin: Circa AD 400–700 Type: Pendant Material: Gold Dimensions: 8 1/2 × 3 3/4 in. Description: Large cast gold pendant depicting a standing male shaman figure adorned with elaborate ritual ornaments. The figure wears a crown composed of downward-facing bird elements, double spiral ear ornaments, and a crescent-shaped nose ornament. A necklace suspends a small animal-form pendant with a curling tail. The figure’s rigid frontal posture and stylized proportions are characteristic of Quimbaya anthropomorphic goldwork and likely represent a ritual specialist in a trance or ceremonial state. Such pendants functioned as powerful insignia of rank and spiritual authority. Alloy composition: gold 84.9%, copper 9.6%, silver 5.3%, palladium 0.01%. Weight: 192 grams. Provenance: Colombia, Quimbaya region, Urabá, Antioquia.