PENDENTIF AVIFORME EN ORDIQUÍS/CHIRIQUI800-1200 AP. J.-C. |

Poinçon français d'import pour l'or 18K (750°/00)Poids brut : 93,75 g

Collection Alvaro Guillot-Muñoz (1897-1971), Montevideo, acquis entre 1935 et 1950 
Transmis par descendance
Collection Gérald Berjonneau, Paris
Castor Hara, Paris, 30 mai 2011, n° 34
Importante Collection privée française

Excellent condition overall. 
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Dans la région isthmique du Costa Rica, l'or devint, au I^er siècle, l’emblème privilégié du pouvoir surnaturel, de l'autorité politique, du statut et de la lignée, remplaçant le jade dans ces fonctions symboliques. Ce nouveau matériau de prédilection produisit un changement radical dans la tradition matérielle locale. Le passage du jade à l’or est considéré comme l’un des bouleversements culturels les plus remarquables de l’Amérique préhistorique. Les ornements en or s’affichaient sous une multitude de formes, tant dans la vie que dans la mort. Au XVI^e siècle, les Espagnols observèrent que des caciques (chefs de tribus) portaient des pectoraux et des pendentifs en or tant au combat que lors de cérémonies rituelles, et que les hauts dignitaires étaient entièrement parés d'ornements en or lors de leur inhumation.

Les techniques développées en Colombie avant le VI^e siècle permirent de créer des sculptures en or à la cire perdue, procédé de moulage d’une grande précision. L’acte de transformation d’un bloc d’or en pendentif effigie ou en pectoral constituait en soi un élément très important de la création d’un insigne de pouvoir.

Les oiseaux forment la plus grande catégorie de pendentifs zoomorphes des forêts tropicales de l'Isthme. La puissance inhérente à la créature est amplifiée par les griffes acérées, le bec puissant et l’ample envergure des ailes, aboutissant à la plus éclatante incarnation de la Nature. 

Gold became the ultimate medium for conveying supernatural power, political authority, status and lineage by the 1st c. AD in the Isthmus area of Costa Rica, replacing jade as the preeminent valued material.

The shift from jade to gold is considered one of the dramatic culture changes in prehistoric America. Gold ornaments were flaunted in a myriad of forms in life as well as in death. Spaniards in the 16^th c. witnessed caciques wearing pectorals and pendants into battle as well as during ceremonial events, and those of high status were covered head to foot in gold ornaments at their interment.

Procuring and creating golden sculptures through lost-wax casting was based on the technologies developed in Colombia prior to the 6thc AD. The actual process of transforming a lump of gold into an effigy pendant or abstract pectoral, was itself a very important element of creating a power object.

Avians are the largest category of zoomorphic pendants from the Isthmus rainforest region. The signature strength of the creature is emphasized in each pendant, such as the gripping talons, strong beaks or broad wingspan, creating the most potent avatar from the natural world.