This one-of-a-kind Tairona Cacique, pre-Columbian artifact originates back to AD 1000-1500. Meticulously constructed by the Tairona people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Northern Columbia. This piece is believed to have been worn as a pendant by persons of profoundly high power. In extremely good condition, this exquisite work of art has been preserved through time with utmost precision and care. A beautiful addition to any prestigious collection, pieces of this quality are rarely ever offered to the public. Comparable items of lesser quality are housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Tairona Cacique figures are primarily hollow, intricate gold castings with diminutive detail, often depicting different humanoid figures with animalistic masks or animal based deities. Created using the lost-wax casting method in Tumbaga to achieve remarkable detail. Tumbaga is an alloy of gold, copper and silver. Many Tairona artifacts give the initial appearance of being made of almost pure gold. Though this item is made of over 70% gold, it does contain copper and silver. This piece has been independently tested to show that it contains no zinc, proving it correct to the time period, and not a modern day replica.
Imported within the period of 1966 through 1969, this art piece has been in the United States prior to the 1970 UNESCO Convention. Described as a Tairona Cacique, weighing in at 88 grams, a height of 4 and a half inches (11.43 centimeters) and a width of 3 and a half inches (8.89 centimeters) and a make-up of approximately 72% gold. Importation documents can be provided upon request. For serious inquiries, additional photos can be provided.
