Bidspirit Auktion | A fine tumbaga jewel

A fine tumbaga jewel - A fine tumbaga jewel Colombia - Tairona culture Lost wax copper and gold alloy cast. The pendant probably represents a priest connected with the cult of Heisei, the mighty god of death and rain, depicted with a bat-like aspect. The alloy used for this type of artefact, called 'tumbaga' contains up to 75% of copper in it and consequently a small quantity of gold. To give a shiny appearance similar to pure gold was used the depletion gilding method: removing the copper from the surface with the aid of acids or salt and then burnishing the surface to make it smooth and shiny the craftsman produces a superficial nearly pure gold layer. H cm 4.5