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National Geographic : 1974 Jan
Contents
GOLDEN MASTERPIECES A 12-PAGE PORTFOLIO BEAUTIFUL, EASY TO WORK, AND INDESTRUCTIBLE, gold has inspired artists wherever it has occurred. Not surprisingly, gold smithing flourished most spectacularly where raw material was abun dant. Thus gold-rich Indians of Central and South America evolved exquisite works, and the plunder of their treasure by the conquistadors spawned a similar flowering in Renaissance Europe. Radiating vitality despite its missing pieces, a figure fashioned by an Indian of central Colombia centuries ago (left) is exhibited in Bogota's Gold Mu seum. Within the sculpture, known as a poporo, the owner carried pulver ized seashells, which he chewed with coca leaves to trigger the plant's narcotic effect. Made by the lost-wax process and portrayed in approximately actual size, the figure is a prized exhibit among the 18,000 gold artifacts displayed at the Bogota museum. Latticed flanks and tiny trunk bestow delicacy on a golden elephant, shown two-thirds actual size. Crafted by an African goldsmith on the Ivory Coast perhaps 200 years ago, it was also cast by the lost-wax process. Such stylis tically wrought animals of gold remain, as they have been for centuries, among the kingliest trappings of tribal royalty for West Africa's Twi-speaking Akan peoples. COLLECTIONOF MR. ANDMRS. PAULTISHMAN.NEW YORKCITY FOLLOWING PAGES FOLD OUT 29
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