Page 629 - Art In The Age Of Exploration (Great Section on Chinese Art Ming Dynasty)

5^3
FINIAL WITH BIRD

Sinu
gold-copper alloy
3
16.2 (6 /s)
George Ortiz Collection

The bird appears to be a toucan. He has slit eyes,
the head surmounted by a crest of spirals. Under
his long beak are small loops from which gold
pendants probably dangled. The bird perches on
a socket that may have been attached almost
horizontally to a ceremonial staff; it is possible,
though unlikely, that it served as the hook of a
ceremonial spear thrower.
This finial attests to the high degree of artistic
and technical development achieved by Sinu gold-
smiths. It was part of the collection of tribal and
exotic art assembled by the sculptor Jacob Epstein.
G.O

2
5M-5 5 Solid and heavy finials, which adorned the tops of
plains of the
were produced in the
staffs,
Two ANIMAL-EFFIGY FINIALS bean since early periods. They faithfully Carib-
represent
Sinu various species from that area, especially the more
cast gold-copper alloy handsome animals such as the cuchara duck with
its peculiar flattened beak and the deer with its
2
2
524: 10.6 x 8.9 (4 /s x 3 /2J attractive horns. These figures were most often
7
525: 9.9 xy.8 (} /8X3) decorated with hanging plaques or adorned with
false filigree. Most are naturalistic, but occasion-
Museo del Oro. Banco de la Republica, Bogota ally they represent two-headed animals. A.M.F.

628 CIRCA 1492