Breastplate in the shape of a bird with multiple heads
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Tairona Period 900/1600
Title: Breastplate in the shape of a bird with multiple heads
Creator: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – Tairona Period
Date: 900/1600
Physical Dimensions: w205 x h182 mm
Type: Goldwork
External Link: People and Gold in Pre-Hispanic Colombia
Technique: Lost wax casting, hammering and embossing in tumbaga with depletion gilding
Finding: Colombia, Magdalena, Ciénaga
Accession number: O12943
This breastplate displays the basic form of a bird with spread wings and with a forked tail. It is probably the depiction of some sort of ritual. Four masked shamans appear in a squatting position on the heads of four birds of prey, themselves perched on the back of the larger bird.
Pieces similar to this have been found in Muisca territory, undoubtedly evidence of the cultural and linguistic relationship between these societies.