Lot 2007

Two Tumbaga Animal Figurines

Sold June 27, 2025

Price realized
$750

Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.

About this lot

Estimated Value: $450-650

Origin: Peru and Chili,   Pre-Columbian 1000-1500 AD, Tairona, Quimbaya Culture

Dimensions: The double-headed figurine measures 2.5x5x2.75 in. 

Condition: Both have patina and light wear, and some portions wear the metal was worn.

Additional Information: Two Pre-Colombia Tumbaga Animal Figurines. Includes one owl figurine that is made of gold and copper alloy. The owl has wide-eyes and a hollow body with swirls in the front. 

Also includes a two headed creature with a head of a sharp toothed wide-eyed creature and a creature of a human on the other side. This creature has some holes in it and wear. There are patterned braided like portions along its back, and its body is hollow. 

Tairona Tumbaga figurines, made from a gold-copper alloy, were used by the Tairona people of Colombia primarily for religious and ritual purposes, often worn as pendants or masks to symbolize power, spiritual transformation, or social status. They also could have been used in burial rituals or as votive offerings. 

 Tumbaga is usually a 60% gold to 40% copper ration. Nickel is also integrated for the flexibility of the metal.

Lot details

Lot
2007
Closed
June 27, 2025

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