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Finial with Bird (Harpy Eagle with Royal Flycatcher Crest?)
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This gold finial fit over the end of a staff, an emblem of rank. The bird has the hooked beak of a raptor—perhaps the harpy eagle, the “king” of tropical forests. The enormous crest, however, may be inspired by the Royal Flycatcher, a smaller bird that fans its unique, brilliantly colored crest during mating.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, 5th century-11th century |
|---|---|
| Date | 400–1000 |
| Culture / Origin | Isthmian Region (Colombia), Sinú (Zenú), 5th century-11th century |
| Medium | gold, cast |
| Dimensions | Overall: 11.4 x 7.2 x 6 cm (4 1/2 x 2 13/16 x 2 3/8 in.) |
| Department | Art of the Americas |
| Type | Metalwork |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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