16553
Panama Circa 500 to 1520 AD
Circular open ended gold rod with two horned animal form termini at either end and with groupings of legs and barbs all around circumference. Size 1-1/4 in (3.17cm) L.; 18k; weight 5.66g.
The XRF elemental analysis shown in the image is highly consistent with pre-Columbian metallurgy practices. The sample appears to be gold with the following composition:
Gold (Au): 76.5 ± 0.4%
Silver (Ag): 11.8 ± 0.5%
Copper (Cu): 11.30 ± 0.24%
Iron (Fe): 0.39 ± 0.14%
Provenance: From the estate of Christian Illies (1947-2014), Opelika, Alabama who inherited the collection from his grandfather, Ferdinand Grebien (1877-1976). Christian Illies’ grandfather, Ferdinand Grebien was born in Austria in 1887 and arrived in Panama in 1911 to work on the construction of the canal. In Colon 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 Colon. Grebien was an avid lifelong collector of ancient Panamanian gold. We illustrate a black and white photo of Ferdinand Grebien displaying part of his gold collection at the 1964 World’s fair in NY.
Every object is guaranteed authentic and as described, and has been legally acquired and imported in accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations on the movement and sale of antiquities. A signed certificate of authenticity with a description and photograph accompanies this object. Any restoration is described on the invoice.
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