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Seated female(?) effigy figure

Muisca
A.D. 1100–1550
Place of Origin: Departments of Cundinamarca and Boyacá, Colombia

Medium/Technique Gold and copper alloy
Dimensions 5.4 x 5.08 cm (2 1/8 x 2 in.)
Credit Line Gift of Landon T. Clay
Accession Number1993.971
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsRitual objects

DescriptionA human figure, perhaps a female, sits on a small rectangular bench, which is attached to the piece's circular base. A long staff with two birds on top flanks the figure. The person is adorned with an elaborate necklace with seven circular and five bell-like pendants, wide spiral ear ornaments and a rectangular headdress with pendant adornments (now lost).
Provenance1984, Jack Tanzer (b. 1921 - d. 2005), New York; November 27-28, 1984, consigned by Jack Tanzer, Important Pre-Columbian Art sale, Sotheby's, New York, lot 13, to Landon T. Clay, New Hampshire; 1993, year-end gift of Landon T. Clay to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 26, 1994)