GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The pre-Hispanic goldwork of Colombia is traditionally classified by archaeological zones, or regions, each with stylistic associations, varying in iconography and technology: Calima, Quimbaya, Tolima, and Nariño in the southwest; Muisca in the central highlands southeast of Bogotá; and Zenú (Sinú) and Tairona in northwestern Colombia. 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.
Tairona goldworkers produced some of the most elaborate gold objects made in the Americas—featuring delicate spirals, intricate line-work, and braided elements in cast filigree, Tairona ornaments often emphasize volume and three-dimensional form, while others remain simpler in form and decoration, such as this example. When worn together, as many of these personal gold ornaments undoubtedly were, they would have created a dazzling golden image.
Adapted from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Ceremonial mask (1976.W.321)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 33.
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Headdress ornament with heads flanked by crested crocodiles (1976.W.319)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 34.
- Carol Robbins, "Ceremonial mask (1976.W.321)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Suzanne Kotz (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art, 1997), 178.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1976.W.298; 1976.W.297; 1976.W.292], A. H. Meadows Galleries.
- "Figure Pendant (69.7.10)." 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).
- "Masked Figure Pendant (1991.419.31)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–.https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1991.419.31/. (August 2009).
NOTES
Tairona, 1200–1500 (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 02/09/16.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Native Coastal Ecuadorian and Colombian styles: AAT: 300017980
Pre-Columbian Colombian styles: AAT: 300017422
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Tairona: AAT: 300017998
Geography
Colombia (nation): TGN: 1000050
Parque Tayrona (Tairona National Park): TGN: 8697573
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (mountain range / Colombia): DMA
Process/materials
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
tumbaga: AAT: 300248834
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
ornaments: AAT: 300266794
nose ornaments (jewelry): AAT: 300211628
nose rings (nose ornaments): AAT: 300046005
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
costume: AAT: 300209261
decorating (process): AAT: 300056257
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
circular (shape): AAT: 300263827
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
funerary objects: AAT: 300234126
ceremonial costume: AAT: 300210387
nobility (nobles / aristocracy): AAT: 300025942
power: AAT: 300374809
prestige: AAT: 300343604
social status: AAT: 300065206
symmetry: AAT: 300056249
shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244
light (energy): AAT: 300056024
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 letter from A.L. Woodman, Chief of Valuation Analysis Section of the Internal Revenue Service, to Harry S. Parker, Director of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts (dated July 23, 1979, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). 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
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1976.W.468
Category
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General Description
The pre-Hispanic goldwork of Colombia is traditionally classified by archaeological zones, or regions, each with stylistic associations, varying in iconography and technology: Calima, Quimbaya, Tolima, and Nariño in the southwest; Muisca in the central highlands southeast of Bogotá; and Zenú (Sinú) and Tairona in northwestern Colombia. 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.
Tairona goldworkers produced some of the most elaborate gold objects made in the Americas—featuring delicate spirals, intricate line-work, and braided elements in cast filigree, Tairona ornaments often emphasize volume and three-dimensional form, while others remain simpler in form and decoration, such as this example. When worn together, as many of these personal gold ornaments undoubtedly were, they would have created a dazzling golden image.
Adapted from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Ceremonial mask (1976.W.321)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 33.
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Headdress ornament with heads flanked by crested crocodiles (1976.W.319)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 34.
- Carol Robbins, "Ceremonial mask (1976.W.321)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Suzanne Kotz (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art, 1997), 178.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1976.W.298; 1976.W.297; 1976.W.292], A. H. Meadows Galleries.
- "Figure Pendant (69.7.10)." 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).
- "Masked Figure Pendant (1991.419.31)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–.https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1991.419.31/. (August 2009).
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Tairona, 1200–1500 (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 02/09/16.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Native Coastal Ecuadorian and Colombian styles: AAT: 300017980
Pre-Columbian Colombian styles: AAT: 300017422
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Tairona: AAT: 300017998
Geography
Colombia (nation): TGN: 1000050
Parque Tayrona (Tairona National Park): TGN: 8697573
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (mountain range / Colombia): DMA
Process/materials
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
tumbaga: AAT: 300248834
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
ornaments: AAT: 300266794
nose ornaments (jewelry): AAT: 300211628
nose rings (nose ornaments): AAT: 300046005
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
costume: AAT: 300209261
decorating (process): AAT: 300056257
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
circular (shape): AAT: 300263827
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
funerary objects: AAT: 300234126
ceremonial costume: AAT: 300210387
nobility (nobles / aristocracy): AAT: 300025942
power: AAT: 300374809
prestige: AAT: 300343604
social status: AAT: 300065206
symmetry: AAT: 300056249
shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244
light (energy): AAT: 300056024
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 letter from A.L. Woodman, Chief of Valuation Analysis Section of the Internal Revenue Service, to Harry S. Parker, Director of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts (dated July 23, 1979, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). 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
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1976.W.468
source file
object_notes_3_a-0643.xml.nores