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

Pre-Columbian

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Gold Pendant of a Frog, 11th Century CE - 16th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Gold Pendant of a Frog, 11th Century CE - 16th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Gold Pendant of a Frog, 11th Century CE - 16th Century CE

Gold Pendant of a Frog, 11th Century CE - 16th Century CE

Gold
2
FJ.6212
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EGold%20Pendant%20of%20a%20Frog%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E11th%20Century%20CE%20%20-%20%2016th%20Century%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EGold%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E2%3C/div%3E

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) Thumbnail of additional image
Frogs appear frequently in the goldwork of Pre-Columbian Costa Rica, a tropical region in which numerous species of small frogs exist. Both tree frogs, which range in length from an...
Read more
Frogs appear frequently in the goldwork of Pre-Columbian Costa Rica, a tropical region in which numerous species of small frogs exist. Both tree frogs, which range in length from an inch to “giants” of five inches, and terrestrial frogs of small size and poisonous skin are known. The frogs are often vibrantly colored; bright yellow and “gold colored” frogs are among them. It is possible that this pendant is a stylized representation of a tree frog; tree frogs have extremely long legs, like those seen projecting from the body of this sculptural pendant, and equally long feet, here reduced to flattened rectangles. The frog is sitting, and ethnographic evidence suggests that this posture is significant for amphibian imagery; however, this significance remains a mystery. Emerging from the mouth of the frog, two snakes (or perhaps a bicephalous serpent) wind their way outward, appearing almost like a moustache. The meaning of this pairing, unfortunately, remains as mysterious as the importance of the seated posture. The frogs front two feet loop around into a pair hooks, allowing the work to be publicly displayed on a necklace and worn for ceremonies or festivals. Due to our limited comprehension of the rich mythological traditions of the Pre-Columbian Costa Ricans, the full meaning of this masterpiece remains clouded. Although we may never completely understand the cultural and religious importance of this work, we can revel in its outstanding beauty and skilled artistry.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
2790 
of  3344

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