Marble
University of Notre Dame
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Anthropomorphic Crocodilian Figure

Date

800 - 1520 CE

Creator

Unidentified Chiriqui artist

Unrecorded artist

Location

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art

This gold pendant is from the Diquís Delta area in Southwestern Costa Rica, which is known for its intricate metalwork with spiraling and braided details. In this example, we see an anthropomorphic crocodile stretching a double-headed serpent across its body. Four additional crocodile heads with spiral eyes sprout from the figure’s head and feet. Crocodiles appear frequently in Costa Rican artwork, and are key figures in the mythology of numerous Central American cultures. The crocodile god is one of the oldest motifs in Central America, appearing before 500 CE. Talók, a crocodile spirit, would eat people who broke social norms. This figure most likely depicts a ritual specialist in the process of transforming into their crocodile state.

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This gold pendant is from the Diquís Delta area in Southwestern Costa Rica, which is known for its intricate metalwork with spiraling and braided details. In this example, we see an anthropomorphic crocodile stretching a double-headed serpent across its body. Four additional crocodile heads with spiral eyes sprout from the figure’s head and feet. Crocodiles appear frequently in Costa Rican artwork, and are key figures in the mythology of numerous Central American cultures. The crocodile god is one of the oldest motifs in Central America, appearing before 500 CE. Talók, a crocodile spirit, would eat people who broke social norms. This figure most likely depicts a ritual specialist in the process of transforming into their crocodile state.
Open external viewer application
Formerly attributed to Unidentified Chiriqui artistUnrecorded artist
800 - 1520 CE
Jewelry
Tumbaga
1995.034.001
Raclin Murphy Museum: 205A
3 3/8 x 3 5/8 x 1 1/4 in. (8.57 x 9.21 x 3.18 cm)
Gift of the Kennett B. Block Family in memory of Genevieve Block Joyce, mother of Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., ND '37

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at RMMACollections@nd.edu.