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Gold eagle figurine, pre-Columbian design (Central American).

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Antiquities Start Price:2,400.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Gold eagle figurine, pre-Columbian design (Central American).
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This item SOLD at 2009 Apr 13 @ 15:16UTC-4 : AST/EDT
All items are genuine unless noted. Most shipwreck coins and artifacts come with a certificate of authenticity (please check the description for each item).
Gold eagle figurine, pre-Columbian design (Central American). 5.0 grams, about 1¼" x 1". Avian figurines like this one were first named águilas (eagles) by Christopher Columbus, who observed local natives wearing them as pendants when he sailed along the Caribbean coast of Central America in the early 1500s. Apart from the detailed eagle-like face and long, curved beak, however, this piece is hardly bird-like, as it bears prominent, curved "ears" at top; flat, wide-shouldered "arms" with clear "hands" and "fingers" to the sides; and a triangular torso with flat "legs" at the bottom (what Panamanians call "telephone bell pendants"). The back of it bears a loop for wear. The whole piece is obviously high-grade gold, and actually finely crafted for what it is. Its wreck provenance makes it very rare, but we understand that avian pendants are not unique in the realm of pre-Columbian gold. From the Capitana El Rubí and the estate of Art McKee, with 1996 photo-certificate from Art's daughter Karen and $8,000 appraisal certificate from archeologist James Sinclair.