Tierradentro Funerary Mask
2018 © Maxim Tabachnik
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Tierradentro Funerary Mask

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This funerary gold mask (150–900) from the Tierradentro culture shows stylized facial features and incised geometric motifs. Gold in these societies symbolized sacred power rather than wealth, used in rites of passage and burial. Made by repoussé (metal hammered from the reverse), it served to preserve the identity of the deceased.