Nose Ornament
Although some are of artful or inorganic design, ancient American nose ornaments often bear a strong resemblance to natural forms. Here, the long projections bristle and balance sedately outward, bringing to mind an exaggerated mustache or whiskers. Indigenous American men have relatively little facial hair, so it is unlikely that the ornament was thought of as mustache-like by its maker. It is more probable that the whiskers of a large cat are represented.
Artwork Details
- Title: Nose Ornament
- Date: 13th–16th century
- Geography: Colombia
- Culture: Sonso
- Medium: Gold
- Dimensions: H. 3 7/8 × W. 10 1/4 × D. 1/2 in. (9.8 × 26 × 1.3 cm)
- Classification: Metal-Ornaments
- Credit Line: Jan Mitchell and Sons Collection, Gift of Jan Mitchell, 1991
- Object Number: 1991.419.34
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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