Colombia, Quimbaya or Yotoco style / 1–800 CE
Animal-Headed Figure Pendant
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Animal-Headed Figure Pendant as metalwork (Colombia, Quimbaya or Yotoco style · 1–800 CE).
The same creature, with a human body but the head of an animal, appears in both pendants. It holds batons to its mouth, and whiskers or ears flare from the sides of the head.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as cast gold.
The museum's collection notes: The same creature, with a human body but the head of an animal, appears in both pendants. It holds batons to its mouth, and whiskers or ears flare from the sides of the head. The headdress domes are mystifying; they have been described as mushrooms or gourds, among other things.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtAnimal-Headed Figure PendantOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.