Description:
Figurative cast gold pendant representing a naked man in a trance, wearing a headdress and bird mask. It has a ring behind the neck for suspension. Conte style.
It is a naked human male figure in a round bundle, with clearly marked sex. He stands with his arms open, bent at the elbows, and extended slightly forward. The left hand, with exaggeratedly long fingers, opens towards the observer in a gesture that advances the thumb, while the right hand closes over a long, pointed artifact from the top of which two elements curve inwards towards the sides. The feet do not rest on the ground and have only four toes that are pointing downwards. In the face, the eyes are large, round and protrude from the orbits; the straight nose has a tubular nostril; the ears are shaped like a lunar crescent; and the mouth is replaced, or covered, by a strong, curved bird beak. The headdress is formed by a circular base that protrudes over the forehead and at the back supports a tuft or plume ending in two points (the upper part in the "Y" motif of the Conte style), and another smaller rectangular one that protrudes obliquely towards the front. The set of features of the figure can be interpreted as a possible musician or dancer in trance (rattle, gesture of the hand, raised feet, dilated and protruding eyes), dressed with elements that refer to a harpy eagle (tuft and mouth mask).
MG