Plaque

700–900 CE
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Circular plaques were likely affixed to a garment near the shoulders. This example depicts a frontal view of a figure often called the Crocodile God; its body "unzips" down the center to transform into two versions of the same deity in profile. In a further play on the multiplicity of images, a conventionalized face can be seen when the disk is turned upside down. 



Las placas circulares estaban probablemente fijadas a una prenda situada cerca de los hombros. En ésta se puede ver a una figura representada de frente, a menudo llamada "Dios Cocodrilo". Su cuerpo se expande hacia la izquierda y la derecha para transformarse en dos versiones de perfil de la misma deidad. Jugando con la multiplicidad de imágenes, se puede ver una cara convencional si se da vuelta el disco hacia abajo.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Plaque
  • Date: 700–900 CE
  • Geography: Panama
  • Culture: Coclé
  • Medium: Gold
  • Dimensions: H. 10 5/8 × W. 11 13/16 × D. 1/16 in. (27 × 30 × 0.2 cm)
  • Classifications: Metalwork-Ornaments, Gold
  • Credit Line: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University (30-49-20/C11036)
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing