{"product_id":"cocle-circular-embossed-repousse-gold-disc","title":"Cocle Circular Embossed \u0026 Repousse Gold Disc","description":"\u003cp\u003ePanama Ca. 500 to 1500 AD.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHammered 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimension: Size 11cm Diam.; 4-1\/2 inches Diam;  22k weight  55g. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased 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:\u003cbr\u003e88.85% Gold (Au)\u003cbr\u003e5.52% Silver (Ag)\u003cbr\u003e5.63% Iron (Fe)\u003cbr\u003eThe piece exhibits sophisticated pre-Columbian metalworking techniques, including:\u003cbr\u003eFine 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.\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvenance: 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\u003cbr\u003ebuild 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Art for Eternity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50534867173690,"sku":"16531","price":13250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0775\/5120\/6714\/files\/16531blue.jpg?v=1737220610","url":"https:\/\/howardnowes.com\/products\/cocle-circular-embossed-repousse-gold-disc","provider":"Art for Eternity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}