This extraordinary gold jaguar pendant is a
dramatic example of the superb Costa Rican
artistry that developed prior to its European
discovery. Early sixteenth century conquistadors
marveled at the quality of the Costa Rican gold
and stood in awe of the local artists' mastery of
this most desirable medium. Quite possibly this
jaguar pendant was chronicled by one of the
Spanish explorers, his writing filled with
superlatives as he described the pendant's
unique combination of power and beauty. With
its body crouched in an incredibly natural
posture of feral energy, the feline holds in his
open mouth the mid-section of curving two-
headed snake. The back of each snakes' head is
deftly held by the jaguar's strong paws. The
curving lines of the snake in the front of the
jaguar are echoed by a curving two-headed
snake in the back of the feline, created as a
highly stylized rendering of the cat's tail. When
viewed as a pendant, hanging in an upright
position, the amazing skill and sensitivity of the
Costa Rican artist becomes even more apparent.
A unique sense of balance and proportion in the
design, combined with a highly realistic
rendering of he jaguar's body, and the intrinsic
beauty of the medium makes this masterpiece of
Pre-Columbian goldwork. It is truly a work of art
unrivaled in its power and beauty.
- (FJ.5223)
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