Crescent-Shaped Ceremonial Tweezers with a Circular Top

Unlike other functional objects sometimes wrought out of goldーlike needles or fishhooks -- tweezers were created for both a spiritual and utilitarian purpose.
In many ways, these tweezers exhibit symbolism sacred to the Calima people of Southwest Colombia: gold was the chosen material because it glistened like the “sweat of the Gods” and the circle at the center of the object parallels what was known as a symbol of the sun.
In order to make this delicate object, metalsmiths would hammer portions of gold into thin sheets and then cut to attain a desired shape. The clean, raised design added on this tweezer was created by lightly hammering the symbols from the reverse with another tool.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Mrs. S. Wellford Randolf [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1979, by gift.