Gold chest ornament, from grave

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This chest ornament, in the form of twin four-legged mythical beasts, is almost certain to have come from a high-status grave in Panama, where many similar objects have been found. Gold was not only precious but symbolically important.

The ornament is in the form of two creatures side by side. They have pointed ears, protruding eyes and sharp teeth; four legs; and peculiar bird-like tails. It has been made by casting and soldering gold.

Panama was a centre for high-quality goldworking from around AD 200 until the Spanish conquest in the 1500s. The techniques and styles were shared with neighbouring parts of central and southern America.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-747-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.1935.357
• Date: Between 0 and 1500, possibly 450-900
  
• Material: Ornament
  
• Dimensions: 1.75" L
  
• What: Ornament
  
• Subject: Personal ornaments
  
• Who:
• Where: Central America, Panama
  
• Event:
• Description: Gold ornament in the form of two four-footed dragon-like monsters: Central America, from Panama
  
• References:
  • Bray, W. 1981 'Gold work' in S. Abel-Vidor et al, Between Continents/Between Seas: Precolumbian Art of Costa Rica, 153-166 
• Translations:
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