Sculpting the Sun - Ancient Gold in Panama
Gold held deep spiritual significance for ancient Panamanians. It was believed to capture and manipulate the light of the sun and its cosmic energies, and to connect those adorned to powerful celestial forces.
Gold metalworking was introduced to Panama around 100 CE. The Coclé people, who flourished between 700-1000 CE, became renowned for their goldsmithing skills, utilizing methods such as lost-wax casting, depletion gilding, and sheet metal forming, techniques that allowed artisans to create intricate designs that showcased both technical skill and artistic vision.
We are happy to share with you a spectacular collection of ancient Panamanian gold that comes with remarkable provenance. It was collected by Ferdinand Grebien, an Austrian who emigrated to Panama in 1911 and collected voraciously in the early 20th century.
Born in Austria in 1887, Grebien arrived in Panama in 1911 to work on the construction of the canal. In Colon he founded Grebien & Martinz, which would become a major architecture and construction firm. With more than 1000 employees, Grebien & Martinz went on to build many institutions in Panama, including the Municipal Palace of the District of Colon, the British Embassy and 34 “quarters buildings” at Gatun, in the Canal Zone.
While running a thriving business, Grebien developed a fascination with the art of ancient Panama and became an early and major collector. He showed some of his collection at the World's fair in New York in 1964. See below for some highlights of his incredible collection.