Pendant in the shape of a bird of prey, from a high-status grave

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This large gold bird-shaped pendant would have formed part of the grave goods in a chief's grave in Costa Rica. The bird of prey - an eagle or king vulture - was of symbolic significance, but we no longer know its exact meaning.

The pendant is made of cast gold, and depicts a bird of prey as if it is standing on a branch with its wings outstretched to dry. There is a loop on the back for suspending the pendant.

Gold was one of the precious materials used to make symbols of power in central and southern America before the Spanish conquest in the 1500s. Gold workers in Costa Rica were particularly skilled. Gold was of great symbolic significance as well as value.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-786-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1914.228
• Date: Around 700 to 1550
  
• Material: Gold ornament
  
• Dimensions: 3.00" L x 3.63" W
  
• What: Gold ornament
  
• Subject: Miscellaneous
  
• Who:
• Where: Central America, Costa Rica
  
• Event:
• Description: Gold ornament in the form of a conventionalised winged bird, with a loop at the back for suspension: South America, from Costa Rica, Pre-Columbian
  
• References:
  • Abel-Vidor, S et al. Between Continents/Between Seas: Precolombian Art of Costa Rica, 1981. 
  • Sheridan, J A (ed). Heaven and Hell and Other Worlds of the Dead. Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, 2000. 
• Translations:
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