“Pre-Columbian” thus refers to the period in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus in 1492. Other terms such as pre-Hispanic, pre-Cortesian, or more simply, ancient Americas, are sometimes used.
"Gold is the most exquisite of all things ... Whoever possesses gold can acquire all the desires in this world. Truly, for with gold he can gain entrance for his soul into paradise." -Christopher Columbus, 1503, letter to the king and queen of Spain.
Here other two important tribes that inhabited the today's Colombian territory. Their main inspiration and their most beautiful designs that you can find in our Amaya Collection.
Calima, the Hunters
The upper and middle region of the river Calima and the fertile plains of the river Cauca were occupied by hunter-gatherer societies evolving towards agriculture. Gold artefacts ranged from diadems, pendants, nose ornaments and breast plates. In the later period, the goldwork was concentrated on the production of ornaments for the face.
The Breastplate Earrings are an example of the hammering work of the Calima tribe. Some of the works were hammered and then cut to form flowers as we see in the New Drop Earrings.
The Breastplate Earrings are an example of the hammering work of the Calima tribe. Some of the works were hammered and then cut to form flowers as we see in the New Drop Earrings.
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Many natural objects were copied in gold and also ceramic, suggesting they were important in ritual as daily life. The beauty, colour, smell and healing properties of plants might have giving them a special role in body adornment and ritual practice.
Quimbayas, The fighters!
The area of the mountainous Middle Cauca hosted many societies of farmers, hunters and gold miners. During the late Quimbaya period, which lasted up to the Spanish conquest, many changes took place in society, economy, aesthetics and metallurgy. The production of various objects for the face began to predominate. They were now producing flat hammered embossed gold breast plates with mythical motifs and rounded bodily contours. The schematised human figures were zoomorphic features allude to schemanic transformation. The Quimbaya were one of the strongest communities in fighting against the Spanish invasion of their territories.
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In ancient Colombia, people did not use gold as currency or desire for its economic value. Gold was revered instead for its symbolic association and transformative properties.
This sacred metal was used to create some of the most visually dramatic and technically sophisticated works of art found anywhere in the Americas before European contact.
This sacred metal was used to create some of the most visually dramatic and technically sophisticated works of art found anywhere in the Americas before European contact.
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