1976.W.341 Pendant: Double-Headed Bird of Prey (Colombia, Zenú (Sinú))

The pre-Hispanic goldwork of Colombia is traditionally classified by archaeological zones, or regions, each with stylistic associations, varying in iconography and technology: Zenú (Sinú) and Tairona in northwestern Colombia, Muisca in the central highlands southeast of Bogotá, and in the southwest, Quimbaya, Calima, Tolima, and Nariño. The richly varied works were primarily objects of personal adornment. Pendants, headdress elements, pectorals, bracelets, anklets, and nose and ear ornaments probably functioned as ceremonial regalia for elite men. Sixteenth-century records and recent research indicate that Sinú gold objects derived from the Gran Zenú region, thus attributed to the Zenú people who occupied the region during the 16th century conquest and whose descendants occupy the east of the lower Sinú River today. 

Zenú (Sinú) ornaments often feature delicate spirals, intricate line-work, and braided elements in cast filigree, as seen in this example. 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, suspension loops are located on the reverse at the base of each bird head—craftsmen thus also cleverly adapted the natural forms of totemic creatures to the functional demands of the jewelry. This pendant represents a double-headed bird wearing necklaces or collars, with large decorated wings that extend from either side of each bird head, while the crescent-shaped base forms the long outspread tail of the figure. Though it in unclear what type of bird is represented, it is likely a bird of prey, indicated by the sharply hooked beak. 

Bird pendants, common among the cultures of Intermediate Central America, are found in a variety of sizes and styles and represent a number of different bird species. Both single and double bird pendants are common, 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. Bird imagery remained important to indigenous peoples of the region into the 20th century. For many peoples of the ancient Americas, birds were likely mythic figures, often considered intercessors between sky and land. Bird pendants may have offered protection to the wearer, and when represented twinned in gold, such as this example, they are doubly powerful.

Native Coastal Ecuadorian and Colombian styles: AAT: 300017980

Pre-Columbian Colombian styles: AAT: 300017422

Zenú (Sinú): AAT: 300017434

Colombia (nation): TGN: 1000050

Sinú (river): TGN: 1130040

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

worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274

jewelry: AAT: 300209286

pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002

shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244

figures (representations): AAT: 300189808

sitting (seated): AAT: 300263970

birds (animals): AAT: 300266506

birds (motifs): AAT: 300375751

heads (representations): AAT: 300262520

bicephalic (two-headed / double-headed): DMA

wings (animal components): AAT: 300375053

beaks (animal components): AAT: 300400475

tails (animal components): AAT: 300251800

necklaces: AAT: 300046001

collars (neckwear): AAT: 300210058

ornaments: AAT: 300266794

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

dots (geometric motif): AAT: 300010145

circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627

lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279

zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028

braids (motifs): AAT: 300400658

crescent (motif): AAT: 300165510

ceremonial costume: AAT: 300210387

nobility (nobles / aristocracy): AAT: 300025942

power: AAT: 300374809

prestige: AAT: 300343604

social status: AAT: 300065206

symmetry: AAT: 300056249

mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725

Falconiformes (order / diurnal birds of prey): AAT: 300310286

raptors (birds): AAT: 300250055

deities: AAT: 300343850

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

protection: AAT: 300164923

duality (concepts): DMA

hollow (form attribute): AAT: 300163023

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.

Apply to objects where number equals 1976.W.341