BIOGRAPHY

Colombia was the gateway to South America via the Magdalena and Cauca river valleys.  The region is known for its gold work, ceramics and stone winged pendants and hand axes. Over a period of 1700 years (300BC-AD1400), Colombian gold work was developed by successive cultural groups around the Calima and the Sinu river valleys.  The outstanding work was done by the Quimbaya (AD500-1000), mostly created using the Lost Wax Casting Method.

The ceramics of Colombia range from seated slab figures to covered burial urns, often decorated with resist decoration. The Stone work from Colombia comes primarily from the Tairona people, with winged breast ornaments to hand axes and ceremonial batons.