A Large Diquís Gold Eagle Pendant, ca. A.D. 800-1500

of Jalaca style, the dramatic and imposing physiognomy with highly arched wings drawn upwards and trimmed on the lower border with beaded plumage, tapering body, with rounded chest and small taloned feet projecting, the long neck adorned by multiple collars, with openwork downturned beak and globular eyes, the curving ears with spiralled ornaments; a suspension loop at the back of the head.

Andre Emmerich, Inc.

American Private Collector, acquired from the above 1980, (Sotheby's, May 17, 2000, lot 64)

"The power of gold in ... Central and South America was inextricably linked to its ability to draw upon the power of ancient identity for expression of power in the world of the present." (Hoopes and Fonseca in Quilter and Hoopes:2003:49).

Gold avian pendants represent a variety of birds of prey including eagles and the king vulture. They were a dominant form of gold ornament; this large and well cast avian is a clear reference to the power of raptorial birds in the rain forest. Cf. Jones, Kan and Snarskis (1981: figs. 248 and 249).