|
|
 |
|
Costa Rican, Diquis region, Chiriqui culture
Figural Pendant
|
Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Ax God
|
Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Jaguar Effigy Incense Burner
|
Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya region
Crocodile Effigy Vessel
|
Costa Rica, Diquis region
Frog Pendant
|
Costa Rican, Guanacaste or Diquis Region
Peccary Effigy Jar
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
    |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Focus Works of Art
Figural Pendant
|
|
|
|
Costa Rican, Diquis region, Chiriqui culture
(Ancient American)
Figural Pendant,
about 750-1550 |
|
|
Gold pendants were worn as emblems of prestige and power. This eagle spreads its wings and extends its claws in an attack pose. Note the double-headed serpent emerging from the eagle's head. Such images are thought to depict various stages in the transformation of a shaman, a religious practitioner with magical powers. The technology required to create metal objects did not exist in ancient cultures of North America. Costa Rica, like its neighboring country Panama, learned this skill from cultures of South America.
|
|
 |
|
Below are suggestions for using the Focus Work of Art with students in the classroom. The activity and discussion ideas are listed in order of difficulty. The activity instructions and italicized discussion questions may be presented directly to students. The icons below each suggestion note the related subject area(s). Click on each icon to determine which subject area it represents. Browse the thematic Lesson Plans for more ideas on how to use this work of art and theme in the classroom. |
- Gold Supply
Explore the availability of gold in Central America at the time this pendant was made.
- Shaman Stories
Write a story about the transformations of a shaman, incorporating the imagery of this pendant into your description.
 
- Metals and Gold
Determine why certain metals, such as copper, are added to gold before casting. Predict the effects these metals might have on the color and consistency of gold.
- The Eagle as Symbol
Find examples of other representations of eagles in Western culture. What does this bird symbolize in various cultures? Create a collage, drawing, painting, or sculpture depicting an eagle in a symbolic way.
- Objects of Gold
Compare this work of art with objects made of gold by other Latin American cultures during the same time period.
|
|
)
