1983.6.FA Disk with feline head (Milagro-Quevedo, Ecuador)

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 worn across the chest, gold disks and pendants were still worn by local inhabitants of the Caribbean coast when Europeans encountered them at the turn of the 16th century.

The small hole at the top suggest this gold circular disk would have originally been worn hanging over the chest as a pectoral either fastened to a neckband or garment. Often referred to as patenas, many examples of such pectorals have been found from this region and are usually similar in size with simple decoration of raised dots around the rim and highly polished surfaces. Others feature figural designs and large bosses, as seen in this example. The image is flattened and bilaterally symmetrical for maximum decorative effect and features a large central boss with a feline head surrounded by a series of dots and a dotted diamond motif and another band of dots around the edge. The goldwork attributed to the Milagro-Quevedo and Manta cultures of western Ecuador has much in common with ornaments made by the Capulí culture in the Nariño region of southwestern Colombia; circular pectorals and ear ornaments with a central human or feline head in high relief are hallmarks of both styles.

Felines, a common theme among the cultures of Intermediate Central America, are depicted in a variety of sizes and styles and sometimes represent a fusion of various animal features and species. Though their exact meaning is unknown, gold objects such as these were likely worn on ceremonial occasions, and would have created a dazzling golden image. For many peoples of the ancient Americas, jaguars and other large felines were likely considered mythic figures. Feline ornaments may have thus offered protection to the wearer, and when represented in gold, such as this example, they are even more powerful.

Adapted from

Milagro-Quevedo culture (?), c. 800–1500 CE (noted on TMS), NOT updated by KJones.

Ecuadorian and Colombian styles: AAT: 300017980

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Milagro-Quevedo (Milagro / Pre-Columbian Ecuadorian culture or style): AAT: 300017411

Pre-Columbian Ecuadorian styles and periods: AAT: 300017396

Ecuadorian (South American): AAT: 300178973

Ecuador (nation): TGN: 1000051

Milagro (inhabited place / Ecuador): TGN: 1024126

Quevedo (inhabited place / Ecuador): TGN: 1024147

gold: AAT: 300011021

goldwork: AAT: 300044045

casting: AAT: 300053104

repoussé: AAT: 300054023

solder: AAT: 300010993

sheet metal: AAT: 300223016

metalwork: AAT: 300015336      

hammering (metal finishing): AAT: 300054098

Lost-wax process: AAT: 300053113

jewelry: AAT: 300209286

costume: AAT: 300209261

worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274

disks (object genres): AAT: 300251427

pectorals (jewelry): AAT: 300211902

ornaments: AAT: 300266794

shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244

decorating (process): AAT: 300056257

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

geometric shape: AAT: 300263819

geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213

dots (geometric motif): AAT: 300010145

circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627

circular (shape): AAT: 300263827

lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279

bands (decorative): DMA

diamonds (motifs): AAT: 300009791

raised (form attribute): AAT: 300010354

relief (sculpture techniques): AAT: 300053622

bosses (components): AAT: 300047259

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

power: AAT: 300374809

prestige: AAT: 300343604

authority (concepts): DMA

social status: AAT: 300065206

symmetry: AAT: 300056249

protection: AAT: 300164923

ceremonial costume: AAT: 300210387

figures (representations): AAT: 300189808

heads (representations): AAT: 300262520

faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798

animals (Animalia kingdom): AAT: 300249395

feline (cat-like): DMA

jaguar (animals): AAT: 300310389

myth: AAT: 300201023

mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725

deities: AAT: 300343850

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

protection: AAT: 300164923

1980-1983: John Wise Ltd. (John and Nora Wise), New York, purchased at auction, Sotheby Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, November 20, 1980, lot 85 [1]

From 1983: Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, gift of Sarah Dorsey Hudson, purchased from the above [1], [2], [3]

[1] The main source for this provenance was existing provenance information in TMS. No other supporting information found in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 07, 1983, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.

AUDIO ASSETS

VIDEO ASSETS

Apply to objects where number equals 1983.6.FA