DIQUÍS GOLD DOUBLE FIGURAL PENDANT CIRCA AD 800-1200

Twinned or double-figures were an important genre of Isthmus goldwork prevalent in the neighboring regions of Sitío Conte in Panama and the Diquís area of Costa Rica. Diquís goldwork was 'ornate and almost baroque in the exuberance of its decoration"(Bray in Abel-Vidor et al., Between Continents/Between Seas, Detroit, 1981, p. 166), as seen on this pendant by the braidwork, filigree details, and the addition of dangles once suspended on the eight projecting rods. The naked figures grasp the braided staffs decorated along the perimeters with spirals; each figure wears a headdress of spikey plumes and the distinctive hooked nose appendage associated with bats.

See Abel-Vidor, ibid., no. 275 for the type.