1976.W.271 Double Pendant Bell: Tooth-Shaped Figures (Chiriquí, Panama, Veraguas)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Among the societies of Central America, gold ornaments were important symbols of power and prestige that expressed authority and status in life and in death. Made to be suspended around the neck, the image on this gold pendant is flattened and bilaterally symmetrical for maximum decorative effect. Although not visible from the front, the suspension loops are located on the reverse at the back of each head—craftsmen thus cleverly adapted the natural forms of totemic creatures to the functional demands of this jewelry.

This pendant represents two composite figures with both human and feline-like features. Framed by a crescent-shaped canopy, the figures wear banded headdress and beaded necklaces or collars, while their bodies form the long, slender tooth-shaped base of the pendant. Each figure holds a round, gourd-shaped object in the outer hand which functions as a bell, and together they hold a triangular shaped object with facial features, that likely represents a trophy head, a reference to the importance of human sacrifice.

The meaning of these tooth-shaped figural pendants is unclear. Pendants in the shape of felines and other animal creatures are a common theme among the cultures of Intermediate Central America. They range in a variety of sizes and styles, and sometimes represent a fusion of various animal features and species. Though their exact meaning is unknown, pendants were likely worn on ceremonial occasions, and similar pendants were still being worn at the beginning of the 16th century conquest. For many peoples of the ancient Americas, animals were likely considered mythic figures. Animal pendants may have thus offered protection to the wearer, and when represented in gold, such as this example, they are even more powerful.

Drawn from

Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Pendant with two frogs (1976.W.292), Pendant bell depicting a turtle (1976.W.301), Pendant depicting a batlike mask (1976.W.237)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 35.
Anne R. Bromberg, Dallas Museum of Art: Selected Works (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art, 1983), 45.
Carol Robbins, Label text [1976.W.298; 1976.W.297; 1976.W.292], A. H. Meadows Galleries.
"Eagle Pendant (1977.187.22)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–.http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1977.187.22/. (August 2009).

NOTES

Veraguas, 800–1200 C.E. (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 03/25/16, 03/30/16, and 03/31/16; no period noted.
Current label copy notes Panama: Veraguas-Greater Chiriquí style.
Fun Facts Source: Carol Robbins, "Inventory Description, Medium," in DMA Object File, Double Pendant Bell: Tooth-Shaped Figures (1976.W.271) (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, n.d.), 2).

Catalogue essays

The Nora and John Wise Collection of Ancient South American Art

Artist/designers

Cultures

Chiriquí

Chiriquí (period): AAT: 300017239

Pre-Columbian Panamanian styles: AAT: 300017241

Veraguas (period): AAT: 300017240

Geography

Intermediate Central America

Chiriquí (province): TGN: 1001201

Panama (nation): TGN: 7005565

Veraguas (province): TGN: 1001593

Process/materials

Central American Gold

gold: AAT: 300011021

goldwork: AAT: 300044045

annealing: AAT: 300053886

casting (process): AAT: 300053104

chasing (metalworking): AAT: 300054016

embossing (technique): AAT: 300053826

repoussé: AAT: 300054023

solder: AAT: 300010993

sheet metal: AAT: 300223016

metalwork: AAT: 300015336

hammering (metal finishing): AAT: 300054098

Historical periods

Individuals

Subject terms

worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274

jewelry: AAT: 300209286

pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002

bells (idiophones): AAT: 300041872

clapper bells: AAT: 300041874

shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244

figures (representations): AAT: 300189808

human figures: AAT: 300404114

feline: DMA

teeth (animal components): AAT: 300400467

necklaces: AAT: 300046001

collars (neckwear): AAT: 300210058

headdresses: AAT: 300046023

headbands (headgear): AAT: 300046115

ornaments: AAT: 300266794

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627

lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279

triangular (polygonal): AAT: 300263833

triangles (polygons): AAT: 300009806

crescent (motif): AAT: 300165510

gourd (plant / fruit): AAT: 300011870

trophy heads (trophies of war): DMA

trophies (objects): AAT: 300233975

trophies of war (objects): AAT: 300379111

sacrifices: AAT: 300263243

funerary objects: AAT: 300234126

ceremonial costume: AAT: 300210387

power: AAT: 300374809

prestige: AAT: 300343604

social status: AAT: 300065206

symmetry: AAT: 300056249

myth: AAT: 300201023

mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725

deities: AAT: 300343850

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

protection: AAT: 300164923

hollow (form attribute): AAT: 300163023

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

Until 1976: Nora and John Wise, New York [1]

From 1976: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, the Eugene McDermott Family, Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Murchison [1], [2]

[1] The main source for this provenance is existing information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

AUDIO ASSETS

VIDEO ASSETS

IMAGE ASSETS

WEB RESOURCES

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

This hollow pendant is made of cast gold with two cast metal clapper bells.

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

Apply to objects where number equals 1976.W.271