Pre-Columbian Jewelry
Photo: Robert Weldon, Gift of Dr. Geoffrey A. Smith
Pre-Columbian gold insect (butterfly or dragonfly) ornament. Tairona, Colombia 500-1500AD
Exhibit Description
After their return from the highlands of Colombia, Spanish Conquistadors described ancient rituals and a sophisticated culture whose people were covered from head-to-toe in gold ornaments. Today, these extraordinary works of art are considered marvels of ancient America. Pieces of gold crafted into ornaments for adornment and for ritual offering are featured in this collection that captures the detail, complexity and beauty of the ancient world.
