Poporo y Palillo

Gold poporo and pin
Calima, Yotoco period, 200 BC- 1200 AD (?)

Masks, sticks and musical instruments transformed those taking part in the rituals into fantastic and powerful beings. The goldsmiths of Yotoco-period societies in Calima portrayed these masked characters on the pins used for removing lime from poporos. Although many Yotoco poporos were cast using the lost wax technique, the one shown here is made with gold leaf.