Tairona Eagle Pendant, Colombia

A pale shell cut into a small figure with outstretched arms.

This eagle pendant is Tairona, from Colombia, and dates to 200 – 1600 CE. It is cochlea shell. The Tairona of Colombia's Caribbean highlands are known for gold, stone and shell ornaments, and birds of prey are a recurring theme in their work. The pendant is a flat, stylized form, with a narrow head and a short crossbar like folded wings above a tapering, flared body. The surface is creamy white, softly matte and lightly pitted. It hangs here from a slim silver-colored chain. It is 1.2 inches long and 2.5 high.

A compact bird, and a patient one.