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Frog effigy bead

Coclé (?)
A.D. 700–1520
Place of Origin: Coclé Province?, Panama

Medium/Technique Gold
Dimensions 1.7 x 1.4 cm (11/16 x 9/16 in.)
Credit Line Museum purchase with funds donated by Landon T. Clay
Accession Number1971.791
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsGold

DescriptionBead in the shape of a frog. Tubular enclosure on back face allows for suspension on a string. Left leg and edge of head broken away; fragments do not survive.
ProvenanceAfter about 1930, excavated in the Sitio Conte area, Coclé Province, Panama. Between about 1950 and 1955, acquired from a private collection, San Jose, Costa Rica by Paul Pasher and, about 1955, entrusted by him to Manuel Miranda Pinto, San Salvador, El Salvador; April 1970, returned by Manuel Miranda Pinto to Paul Pasher, New York; 1970, sold by Paul Pasher to the Edward H. Merrin Gallery, New York; 1971, sold by Merrin Gallery to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 8, 1971)

NOTE: Before acquiring Paul Pasher's collection of Panamanian gold (accession nos. 1971.783-1971.1129 and 1972.940-1972.944) the MFA contacted the National Commission on Historical Archaeology and Monuments, Panama; the president of the Commission responded that no objections were raised to the acquisition.