Chiriquí Gold Figure of a Musician

The Chiriquí Gold Figure of a Musician is a pre-Columbian cast gold artifact originating from the Chiriquí region of present-day Panama, crafted by indigenous artisans between approximately 700, 1500 CE. These small ceremonial figures, typically depicting human or anthropomorphic musicians holding instruments, exemplify the sophisticated lost-wax (cire perdue) casting techniques mastered by Chiriquían metalworkers. Such objects held deep ritual and status significance and have appeared at major auction houses including Christie's and Sotheby's as prized examples of ancient American goldwork.