Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

The Barakat Collection

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Pendant Featuring Two Crocodiles, 500 CE - 1550 CE

Pre-Columbian Art / Gold Pendant Featuring Two Crocodiles, 500 CE - 1550 CE

Gold
6 x 4
FJ.6252
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EPre-Columbian%20Art%20/%20Gold%20Pendant%20Featuring%20Two%20Crocodiles%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E500%20CE%20%20-%20%201550%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EGold%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E6%20x%204%3C/div%3E
Symbolism is the most effective and subtle means of depicting abstract ideas in a visual medium. Through art, many layers of meaning can be revealed at once and then explored...
Read more
Symbolism is the most effective and subtle means of depicting abstract ideas in a visual medium. Through art, many layers of meaning can be revealed at once and then explored at leisure to uncover the artist's message. When art is combined with religion, the symbolism is even more enriched. This fabulous pendant is laden with symbolic detail which may never be fully understood. Yet, none of the excitement is lost by virtue of its sheer power and strange beauty. It is composed of two identical zoomorphic figures in the shape of stylized crocodiles. Their heads are virtual masterpieces of abstract design using triangles, spirals and semi-curves in an intricate weave like jungle foliage. There are two snakes looping over the ears, biting into a connecting extension of tightly bond coils. Dragon-like creatures emerge from the crocodiles' mouths, rearing upwards as if breathing fire. The two bodies form the base of the pendant, decorated with a series of three triangular holes and spikes at the neck. The feet are effectively done using coils to give the impression of claws curling around a branch. Both crocodile and snake were significant ritual animals, considered important both in this world and the realm of the supernatural. A pendant such as this one was probably made for and worn by a chief or shaman who used it as a symbol of his power and status in society. Through the art of a master goldsmith we are allowed to feel this power, which shines with its own radiant energy. ....trudy
Close full details

Literature

V23

Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
5076 
of  28197

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields