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Costa Rican, Diquis region, Chiriqui culture
Figural Pendant
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Costa Rican, Guanacaste or Diquis Region
Peccary Effigy Jar
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Costa Rica, Diquis region
Frog Pendant
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Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya region
Crocodile Effigy Vessel
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Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Jaguar Effigy Incense Burner
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Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Ax God
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Focus Works of Art
Frog Pendant
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Costa Rica, Diquis region
(Ancient American)
Frog Pendant,
about 1100–1600 |
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This frog pendant has a tongue of two snakes and more snakes attached to its feet. Creatures made from parts of different animals represent spirits. Many pendants of gold or jade were intended to protect the people who wore them by giving them characteristics of the animal or the spirit represented. Gold pendants were often made by casting. In this process, a mold was made in the shape desired for the object. Hot, liquid metal was poured into the mold, and when it cooled, it took the shape of the mold. Gold was usually mixed with some copper, which made it harder and gave it a reddish color. The frog's back feet are flattened, which increased the reflection of light shining on the gold.
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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. |
- The Poison-Dart Frog
Write a description of the poison dart frog, including its special characteristics and habitats. Consider the ways humans rely on this poisonous creature. Click here for more information.
- The Frog and the Serpent
Write a fable about the frog and the serpent.
- Melting Point
Determine the melting point of gold and the processes used to cast it.
- Molding It
Create a work of art using a mold of your own design.
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