Eagle Pendant

800–1519 CE
Not on view
These pendants combine physical characteristics of several birds, including double crests reminiscent of harpy eagles. Sometimes, these pendants functioned as bells: there are tiny clappers within the bulbous eyes of the two smaller eagles. One of the last kings of the Bribris of Costa Rica, Antonio Saldaña, was photographed around the turn of the century wearing a cluster of such pendants.



Estos colgantes combinan características físicas de varias aves; aquellas con doble cresta evocan las águilas harpías. Muchas veces estos colgantes también eran utilizados como cascabeles. Así lo demuestran las pequeñas claquetas situadas en los ojos bulbosos de las dos águilas. Antonio Saldaña, uno de los últimos reyes de los Bribris de Costa Rica, fue fotografiado a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX llevando varios de estos colgantes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Eagle Pendant
  • Date: 800–1519 CE
  • Geography: Costa Rica
  • Culture: Chiriquí
  • Medium: Gold
  • Dimensions: H. 5 5/8 x W. 5 3/4 x D. 2 1/8 in. (14.3 x 14.6 x 5.4 cm)
  • Classification: Metal-Ornaments
  • Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
  • Object Number: 1979.206.1052
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

Audio

Cover Image for 1618. Eagle Pendant

1618. Eagle Pendant

0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.