Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - manTolima - Middle PeriodNone

  • Dimensions25.0 x 23.0 cm
  • MuseumMuseo del Oro

Tolima - Middle Period (? – ?)

tolima - middle period: Colombian artist known for unique anthropo-zoomorphic breastplates from the Magdalena Valley's fossil finds (tatacoa desert). Explore ancient miocene fauna.

Museo del Oro (Bogotá, Colombia)

Discover Bogotá's Museo del Oro to witness the world's finest pre-Hispanic gold collection including the legendary Muisca Raft and explore the spiritual artistry of ancient Colombia on an unforgettable journey through time.

This large chest plate was manufactured by a skilled goldsmith with the technique of lost wax casting in a tumbaga –gold and copper alloy– in reddish colour due to the high copper content. The design of the fretwork on the body and the headdress of the figure were finely cut out in the wax before the metal pouring took place.The piece exhibits an imposing antropozoomorphic figure with the lower limbs extended sideways, in a schematic style; the symmetry emphasises the straight lines and balance of the proportions. It probably personifies a jaguar-man, as suggested by the fretworks on the body which seem to depict the spots on the skin, the prominent mouth showing his teeth and the spread out posture of the body as if lying on his abdomen. The face, looking human, presents two longitudinal bands of face paint crossing the eyes.The cultural affiliation of this chest plate has always been problematic for the archaeologists because it combines elements of the Tolima style goldwork of the mid valley of the Magdalena and the Quimbaya one of the Early period in the Mid Cauca. The shape of the figure clearly belongs to the first style, while the manufacturing technique refers to the second one. The piece was found at the beginning of the XX century by treasure hunters in a tomb in an elite cemetery in the mountains of the Quindío, on the Colombian Central Mountain Range, in the Mid Cauca region. MAU

About this artwork

  • Title: Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man
  • Artist: Tolima - Middle Period
  • Original dimensions: 25.0 x 23.0 cm
  • Format: Square
  • Copyright status: Under copyright
  • Where to see it: Museo del Oro
  • Color hue: Golden Yellow Range
  • Perceived brightness: deep_shadow

Questions & Answers

What saturation and intensity does "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period show?

The colors of "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period show a muted saturation with a monochromatic intensity.

Does the copyright of "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period allow reproductions?

The original "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" is at the Museo del Oro, and the work is still protected by copyright.

Can the image of "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period be freely reproduced?

The copyright answer for "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period: the work is still protected by copyright. This determines whether reproductions of the image may be freely made.

Which artist is "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" attributed to?

The artist behind "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" is Tolima - Middle Period. The work is catalogued under Tolima - Middle Period's name.

How harmonious are the colors of "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period?

The colors of "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period show a unified palette harmony. Harmony describes how the colors relate to each other.

What size is "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period in real life?

"Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" measures 25 x 23 cm in its original form. Original dimensions are a useful reference when choosing a reproduction size.

Where can I see the original "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" by Tolima - Middle Period?

You can see the original "Breastplate in the form of a jaguar - man" at the Museo del Oro, Bogotá, Colombia.

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