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Scorpio

In the Gran Nicoya region, scorpions embody a diagnostic motif of the polychrome pottery from the Papagayo Policromo group, variedad Papagayo (1350-800d.C.). The raised tail of the realistically designed figure suggests an aggressive threatening gesture. The function of the temple is unknown. It is conceivable that the figure was hung up or pulled onto a textile. Due to the tail-like position of the eyelet, the creature appears to be moving downwards. Although the object design emphasises the top view, there are also hanger figures with a side (cf. objects IV Ca 34192 and IV Ca 34193) and frontal perspective (cf. objects IV Ca 32023 and IV Ca 34191). Ferrero (1975: 359, Ilus. III-130) presents an eight-legged scorpion from the El General site. (Künne 2005)

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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum Show original at data provider

Cataloguing data

Object type
Ironing figure (gold ornament)
Dimensions
Weight: 8,4 g
Height: 2,1 cm
Depth: 1 cm
Width: 1,8 cm
Material/Technique
Gold
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
IV Ca 34288

Provenance and sources

  • Production
    when
    700 - 1550
    where
    Costa Rica
    Punta Arenas
    Buenos Aires
  • Change of legal title:
    Acquisition
    Description
    Purchase 1910
  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    American Archaeology

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
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