Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Chiriqui culture
Tumbaga Golden caiman
奇里基文化
圖帕伽金凱門鱷
Item number: G13
Year: AD 800-1500
The results after XRF testing
Element
Percentage %
Cu
59.02 %
Au
37.67 %
Ag
2.38 %
Ir
0.629 %
Zn
0.300 %
Material: 9ct Gold (Tumbaga)
Size: 95.6 x 45.7 x 26.6 mm
Weight: 44.9 g
Provenance:
1. Woolley & Wallis 2023
2. The Romy Rey Collection (Part 3)
This is a golden caiman statue from Panama, crafted from “Tumbaga.” The upper portion of the statue depicts the head, with the mouth gripping a crustacean similar to a crab. The slightly protruding parts represent the eyes. On the back are three horizontal bars, from which circular metal discs hang. Beneath these bars, the caiman’s four legs are visible. The lower half consists of a forked tail, and the back of the caiman is covered with green copper patina.
“Tumbaga” is an alloy of gold and copper, with the ratio of the two metals varying greatly, sometimes even containing silver as an impurity. The name “Tumbaga” derives from the term used by Spanish conquistadors. Before Columbus’s arrival in Central and South America, local ancient civilizations widely used tumbaga in decorative arts and jewellery. In addition to human figures, objects made from tumbaga included golden statues of birds, fish, reptiles, and various fantastical beasts resembling semi-human creatures. There were also gold ornaments, plates, and other decorative items. Many gold ornaments featured small loops for hanging, allowing them to be worn on the nose, ears, or chest. These metal objects were typically hollow-cast with such precision that the seams of the moulds were often invisible. Ancient American craftsmen sometimes alternated layers of gold, silver, and copper in their work, with the joints so finely crafted that the objects appeared as a single piece.
Most of these gold ornaments were excavated from ancient tombs in Central America. Ceramic jars containing gold figures were often found on the left side of the deceased, facing east. This suggests that the local civilizations had a custom of burying the dead with large quantities of precious metals. Historical records indicate that during Columbus’s fourth voyage, he discovered the “Chiriquí Lagoon”, where he observed tribal chiefs and prominent figures adorned with such ornaments. He wrote in his journal that the abundance of gold and silver filled him with hope, prompting him to name the region “Castilla del Oro” (“The Land of Gold”). The coastline was also named “Costa Rica” (“Rich Coast”), a name preserved to this day as the name of the Central American country. Columbus noted that the chiefs wore large gold plates or mirrors hanging from their chests, which they neither sold nor traded. These gold plates typically ranged in diameter from three to twelve inches. Upon the death of a chief, all the gold was buried with the body. These details not only showcase the advanced craftsmanship of Central American artisans but also underscore the region’s wealth in gold and silver resources.
The “Chiriquí culture”, located in what is now Chiriquí Province in western Panama, was renowned for producing various animal sculptures made from gold or tumbaga. Though the exact techniques used to create these sculptures are now lost, it is known that Chiriquí artisans used strong acids to remove copper corrosion from metal objects, making them shine more brightly. According to historical accounts, over 4,000 tombs in the Chiriquí Province were looted, yielding gold statues, pendants, and other ornaments valued at over $100,000. Residents within a radius of several dozen miles were thrilled by the discovery, prompting many to abandon their towns and prosperous farms entirely. They gathered their belongings and flocked to the ancient tombs, hoping to strike it rich overnight. This sudden event caused severe disruption to local supply chains, leading to significant supply shortages and considerable hardship in the region.
這些金飾大多是在中美洲的古墓中被挖掘出來,經常在墓穴的左側,面向東方的位置,都能發現裝有金像的陶罐。可以看出本地古文明有著將大量貴金屬伴隨亡者下葬的習俗。據典籍紀載,哥倫布在他的第四次航行中發現了奇里基湖(Chiriqui Lagoon),當時他發現所有的部落首領和重要人物身上佩戴著這些及類似的裝飾物,他在日誌中所說,這讓他對該地金銀的富饒充滿了希望,因此他將該地區命名為「金國」(Castilla del Oro);而該地海岸也因此被稱為「Costa Bica」(即富饒海岸),這個名字至今依然保留,成為如今哥斯大黎加這個中美洲國家的名字由來。哥倫布還提到,首領們佩戴著大型金盤或金鏡,懸掛在胸前,這些物品他們既不願出售,也不願交換。這些金盤的直徑通常從三到十二英寸不等,當部落的首領去世時,他們會將所有的金屬隨同屍體一起埋葬。”這些細節不僅顯示出中美洲古文明工匠的技術水平,也證明了該地區的金屬工藝和金銀資源的富饒。