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Unlike the other gold ornaments made in the isthmian region, tunjos were not worn; instead, they served as offerings that were deposited in sacred places such as lagoons and caves. They often depict humans who hold something. Perhaps because they were not meant for display, tunjos were not finished after lost-wax casting. Flaws remain uncorrected, surfaces are unpolished, and gold that backed into the channel used to pour the molten metal into the mold was left in place.

Page data

Page
1
Source index
0
Type
photo
Media ID
bf53993317dbec96
Size
unknown

Document data

ID
125239
Core
obj
Type
object
DTO data
{
    "id": "125239",
    "contentType": "object",
    "title": "Tunjos (Votive Offering Figurine)",
    "description": "Unlike the other gold ornaments made in the isthmian region, tunjos were not worn; instead, they served as offerings that were deposited in sacred places such as lagoons and caves. They often depict humans who hold something.\r\n\r\nPerhaps because they were not meant for display, tunjos were not finished after lost-wax casting. Flaws remain uncorrected, surfaces are unpolished, and gold that backed into the channel used to pour the molten metal into the mold was left in place.",
    "date": "c. 900–1550",
    "citation": "https://clevelandart.org/art/1947.20",
    "rights": "CC0",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "wikidata": [
        "Q60778942"
    ],
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Metalwork"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_web.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_web.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_web.jpg",
    "imageCount": 1,
    "source": "import",
    "dimensionsRaw": "Overall: 7.2 x 3 x 1.3 cm (2 13/16 x 1 3/16 x 1/2 in.)",
    "cul": [
        "Colombia, Muisca style"
    ],
    "accession": "1947.2"
}

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Document identity
{
    "localId": "125239",
    "label": "Tunjos (Votive Offering Figurine)",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object"
}
Document source metadata
{
    "id": "125239",
    "contentType": "object",
    "title": "Tunjos (Votive Offering Figurine)",
    "description": "Unlike the other gold ornaments made in the isthmian region, tunjos were not worn; instead, they served as offerings that were deposited in sacred places such as lagoons and caves. They often depict humans who hold something.\r\n\r\nPerhaps because they were not meant for display, tunjos were not finished after lost-wax casting. Flaws remain uncorrected, surfaces are unpolished, and gold that backed into the channel used to pour the molten metal into the mold was left in place.",
    "date": "c. 900–1550",
    "citation": "https://clevelandart.org/art/1947.20",
    "rights": "CC0",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "wikidata": [
        "Q60778942"
    ],
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Metalwork"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_web.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_web.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_web.jpg",
    "imageCount": 1,
    "source": "import",
    "dimensionsRaw": "Overall: 7.2 x 3 x 1.3 cm (2 13/16 x 1 3/16 x 1/2 in.)",
    "cul": [
        "Colombia, Muisca style"
    ],
    "accession": "1947.2"
}
Document source extras
{
    "tec": "cast gold",
    "tombstone": "Tunjos (Votive Offering Figurine), c. 900–1550. Colombia, Muisca style. Cast gold; overall: 7.2 x 3 x 1.3 cm (2 13/16 x 1 3/16 x 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Humphreys, gift of their daughter Helen, 1947.20",
    "collection": "AA - Intermediate Region",
    "url": "https://clevelandart.org/art/1947.20",
    "creditline": "In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Humphreys, gift of their daughter Helen",
    "updatedAt": "2026-05-29 06:28:05.645000",
    "imageUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_print.jpg",
    "sourceId": 125239,
    "dept": "Art of the Americas",
    "coll": "AA - Intermediate Region",
    "med": "cast gold",
    "thumbnail_url": null,
    "image_url": null
}
Page context
{
    "seq": 1,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "photo",
    "url": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1947.20/1947.20_web.jpg",
    "mediaId": "bf53993317dbec96"
}