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Horseshoe crab effigy

Coclé
A.D. 450–1520
Object Place: Sitio Conté area, Coclé Province, Panama

Medium/Technique Gold
Dimensions Overall: 1.7 x 2.2 cm (11/16 x 7/8 in.)
Credit Line Museum purchase with funds donated by Landon T. Clay
Accession Number1971.809
CollectionsJewelry, Americas
ClassificationsJewelry / AdornmentPendants

DescriptionOpen back cast gold pendant in the form of a horseshoe crab. A double wire suspension ring is cast on the rear surface below the tail-body junction point.
ProvenanceAfter about 1930, excavated in the Sitio Conte area, Coclé Province, Panama. Between about 1950 and 1955, acquired from a private collection, San Jose, Costa Rica by Paul Pasher and, about 1955, entrusted by him to Manuel Miranda Pinto, San Salvador, El Salvador; April 1970, returned by Manuel Miranda Pinto to Paul Pasher, New York; 1970, sold by Paul Pasher to the Edward H. Merrin Gallery, New York; 1971, sold by Merrin Gallery to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 8, 1971)

NOTE: Before acquiring Paul Pasher's collection of Panamanian gold (accession nos. 1971.783-1971.1129 and 1972.940-1972.944) the MFA contacted the National Commission on Historical Archaeology and Monuments, Panama; the president of the Commission responded that no objections were raised to the acquisition.