Gold Pectoral Disk - FJ.6325, Origin: Panama, Circa: 8 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. The iconography of Panama represents some of the most intriguing and mystifying imagery of the Pre-Columbian period. Figures of man and animal range from the highly abstract to the immediately recognizable. This wonderful disk is both unique and representative of Panamanian gold art. The upper portion of the design is crab-like, with two staring eyes, claws and pincers. It's central body becomes more abstract, with a solid rectangle and curved sides, surrounded by a larger rectangle with double borders. Below are two half-circles of diminishing size bordered by triangles. From this "body" long slashes side-by-side radiate outwards like ripples on water or waves of energy. The reverse of the disk contains a nearly identical pattern. Both front and back surfaces are completely filled with design, giving the impression of tremendous energy about to burst beyond the circle's boundary. Two small holes on the upper corners show this disk was intended to be worn, probably by a chief or shaman. Though the person who wore this beautiful pectoral is long gone, the disk itself continues to shine with as much radiance as ever, undiminished by time.

Antiquities
Ancient Central America & Mexico