"The quality of gold that abounds here is very
great, and of good karat, as can be seen from the
plates of gold the Indians beat out...the rivers
abound with gold...such a great quantity of gold
as
to swell two large chests." These are the words of
the 16th century Spanish explorer Diego Do Sojo,
written after he experienced the extensive and
exquisite gold artistry of ancient Costa Rica.
Today, this artistic heritage can still be enjoyed
through such masterpieces as this gold pendant
in
the form of a monkey. For certain ancient tribes
in
Southern Costa Rica, monkeys were thought of
as
former men, and the spider monkey, in particular,
was a warrior. Featured in a standing position,
this
dynamic monkey, with arms outstreched, grasps
his tail which encircles the upper portion of his
body. Masterfully worked spiral motifs ornament
the curved tail and represent the monkey's large
ears. His coffee-bean eyes, wide nose and
snarling
mouth complete this golden image, so revered by
the ancient Costa Ricans. A complete mastery of
the medium coupled with and aesthtic that was
highly sensitive to the natural and supernatural
world, resulted in works of art such as this gold
pendant, that remain age-less in their spirited
beauty.
- (FJ.5120)
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