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two human-like figures

The largely symmetrical object combines the attributes of different species (human, lizard, snake). The central figure appears to represent a masked, anthropomorphic twin creature. Its broad mouths correspond to the zoomorphic stone sculptures of the Palmar group (1550-1000d.C.). The figures wield two rattles with a long, curved handle. A similar clay object was documented by Quilter (2004: 169, Fig. 7.9) in Rivas. The high and low metal strips can be understood as a double-headed reptile (snake?) due to their opposing applications. Despite their size, the trapezoidal panels have no applied decoration. While the central figures appear in frontal perspective, the lateral motifs were depicted in side profile. (Künne 2005)

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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum
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Cataloguing data

Object type
Figures as pendants
Dimensions
Gewicht: 199,7 kg
Objektmaß: 11,1 x 12,4 x 2,1 cm
Material/Technique
Alloy (copper), Alloy (gold)
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
IV Ca 32017

Provenance and sources

when
700
where
Costa Rica
San José [Provinz]
Pérez Zeledón [Kanton]
El General [Ort]
who
Alice Mertens

who
Felix Wiß - Former Possessors

Description
Donation from Felix Wiß 1909

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