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These exquisite ear ornaments would have been worn by Chimú rulers as a symbol of their wealth and authority. On each the central figure, wearing a large headdress, circular earrings, and a wide collar ending in profile snake heads, sits on a double-headed serpent bench. His face is partially obscured by an awning decorated with repoussé birds and geometric designs. The long posts, which were inserted through the earlobes, are decorated with finely engraved geometric motifs alternating with birds, serpents, and other creatures.
Estos exquisitos ornamentos para las orejas pueden haber sido usados por gobernantes Chimú como símbolo de poder y autoridad. En cada uno, la figura central, llevando un gran tocado, aretes circulares, y un ancho collar terminado en cabezas de serpientes de perfil, aparece sentada en una banca en forma de serpiente bicéfala. Su cara está parcialmente oscurecida por un toldo decorado con pájaros en relieve y diseños geométricos. Los largos postes, que se insertaban en los lóbulos de las orejas, están decorados con motivos geométricos finamente grabados, alternando pájaros, serpientes y otras criaturas.
Pair of feathered ear ornaments worn by men. Earring "a" has seven bunches of red and yellow toucan feathers tied to strands of light blue, dark blue, and white glass beads. These are attached to a short bamboo tube that is hollow at one end and decorated with bands of incised geometric designs. Earring "b" has eight bunches of red and yellow toucan feathers tied to strands of light blue, dark blue, white, light green, dark green, yellow, and orange glass beads. These are attached to a slender undecorated bamboo stick (possibly a replacement for a lost decorated one). Condition: Good.
Frank L. Babbott Fund, Frank Sherman Benson Fund, Carll H. de Silver Fund, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Caroline A.L. Pratt Fund, Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund, and Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund
Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund
Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
While we do not know the significance of the figures on these gold pendants, the mixture of human and animal attributes suggests a mythical and supernatural universe. The ornaments were worn on necklaces, perhaps by political and religious leaders who recognized and valued their symbolism. The representations of anthropomorphic animals may allude to the transformative powers of shamans or their spirit helpers as they journey to supernatural realms.
Aunque no conocemos el significado de las figuras en estos pendientes de oro, la mezcla de atributos humanos y animales sugiere un universo mítico y sobrenatural. Los ornamentos eran llevados en collares, quizás por líderes políticos y religiosos que reconocían y valoraban su simbolismo. Las representaciones de animales antropomórficos pueden aludir a los poderes transformadores de los chamanes o de sus ayudantes espirituales en sus viajes a los reinos sobrenaturales.
Carved jadeite plaque, trapezoidal in form and crowned at the top with a triangle on the right and curved scroll on the left; parallel lines below are carved in relief and there is a small, round indentation near the top. This object has been identified with headdress ornaments depicted on incised celts, and the form has been interpreted as a corn symbol. Since there are no drill holes, it was probably not attached to a garment or headdress but was more likely placed in a burial as a ritual object. Text by GdeH 9/2011: During the time of the Olmec civilization (800-500 B.C.E.), the first maize imagery appears in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico in what are today’s states of Vera Cruz and Tabasco. This Olmec jade amuletic plaque is carved in the shape of what is believed to be a corn symbol. Images carved on ancient Olmec celts show plaques such as this worn in headdress ornaments, however, since there are no holes to facilitate attachment, this plaque was more likely used as a ritual burial object. Precious jade used as a medium to depict a corn stalk suggests that corn, and its attendant symbolism, was associated with the ruling elite.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul B. Taylor