Pendant c. 800 - 1100

This pendant was made by the Veraguas people in what is now Panama. We don't know precisely when this piece was made, but we can tell that it reflects a society keenly aware of the natural world. This stylized bird figure, hammered from gold, embodies a deep connection to the environment. The Veraguas people likely saw the bird as a powerful symbol, perhaps linked to the spirit world or the ruling elite. The choice of gold is significant; in many ancient cultures, it was associated with the sun, divinity, and eternal life. The pendant's presence in the Minneapolis Institute of Art raises essential questions about cultural heritage, the role of museums, and how we interpret objects from different cultural contexts. Understanding this pendant requires research into the social structures, belief systems, and artistic traditions of the Veraguas people, reminding us that the meaning of art is always contingent on its social and historical context.