#19 • A Pre-Columbian Gold Avian Pendant - Costa Rica 700-1550 AD

Part of December 2025 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $2,800.00

Status: Sold

Category: Antiques

A pre-Columbian solid gold avian pendant from Costa Rica, dating to the Diquís period, circa 700–1550 AD. This finely cast ornament exemplifies the sophisticated metalworking traditions of the ancient cultures of southern Costa Rica, where gold objects served not only as adornment but also as markers of status, identity, and ritual significance. The pendant’s stylized avian form reflects the symbolic importance of birds within Diquís cosmology and demonstrates the high level of technical skill achieved by artisans working in lost-wax casting. The piece tests between 14k and 18k purity and weighs 33.45 grams. Height 2¼ inches, width 2¼ inches, measured without the teak stand. Provenance: Purchased from Robert Banks, Baltimore, Maryland, circa 1995.