Cocle Circular Embossed & Repousse Gold Disc

Panama Ca. 500 to 1500 AD.  

Hammered and beaten to a circular disc, the perimeter decorated with two rows of punched beadwork, the center with raised central mound and four radiating groups of stippled clusters; pierced two times for suspension. The pectoral disc was  worn as a breast jewelry as a high status symbol. 

Dimension: Size 11cm Diam.; 4-1/2 inches Diam;  22k weight  55g. 

Based on the XRF we have a high-purity pre-Columbian artifact, showing characteristic features of ancient American metalwork. The elemental analysis reveals it is 21.3K gold with:
88.85% Gold (Au)
5.52% Silver (Ag)
5.63% Iron (Fe)
The piece exhibits sophisticated pre-Columbian metalworking techniques, including:
Fine granulation patterns arranged in radiating triangular sections, a central raised dome; a hammered and textured surface treatment with a decorative beaded border around the perimeter.
The high gold content and minimal alloying suggests this was likely a ceremonial or high-status object, as precious metals were primarily used for religious and elite items in pre-Columbian societies. The circular form and radial design may have had astronomical or calendrical significance, which was common in pre-Columbian art.
The piece shows signs of being worked using traditional pre-Columbian metalworking methods like annealing (repeated heating and hammering) to achieve the detailed surface textures and raised elements. The granulation technique displayed here required considerable skill and mastery of temperature control during fabrication.

 Provenance:   From the estate of Andres Illies, who inherited it from his grandfather, Ferdinand Grebien. Mr. Ferdinand Grebien was born in Austria, and arrived in Panama in 1911 to work on the construction of the canal. He founded Grebien & Martinz, a major private construction firm, (with more than 1000 employees) that went on to build many major institutions in Panama, including the Municipal Palace of the District of Colón. Grebien was an avid collector of ancient Pre Columbian gold. Shown in the listing is a photo of Ferdinand Grebien displaying part of his gold collection at the 1964 World’s fair in NY.