Embossed Disk
ca. 700-1100
Coclé
Arts of the Americas
Important Panamanian chiefs were buried with embossed gold plaques, symbols of power and status. Gold plaques with depictions of mythical beings were also worn by leaders to enhance their power and connect them to the supernatural world. This plaque has eight small holes, probably used to attach the ornament to clothing. The human face has the snarling, fanged mouth of a feline, suggesting his transformation into a supernatural being.
- Maker/Artist
- Coclé
- Classification
- Ornament
- Formatted Medium
- Gold
- Medium
- gold
- Locations
- Place made: Sitio Conte, Coclé Province, Panama
- Dimensions
- 4 x 4 in. (10.2 x 10.2 cm)
- Departments
- Arts of the Americas
- Accession Number
- 33.448.6
- Credit Line
- Museum Expedition 1931, Museum Collection Fund
- Exhibitions
- American Art
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
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