Tairona Culture Colombia , Tumbaga Gold , artifact A little Tumbaga - Tairona artifact , A pendant of a Grand Shaman , from the northern Region of Colombia. Tumbaga is gold and copper alloy, a detailed handcrafted piece, treated with special ultrasonic cleaning size: 24 x 22 x 4 mm weight: 3,4 grams So-called "Golden" civilization in the northern of Colombia, Sierra Nevada, Santa Marta. The Tayronas played a major role in the field of gold jewellery thanks to highly developed techniques such as lost wax casting. The use of the tumbaga, gold and copper alloy, made it possible to easily save the resources of gold. Treatments to improve the quality of gold, like heating until the oxidation of copper followed by soaking in ice water, allowed to leave a permanent patina of gold and avoid cracking. Finally, the process ended with smoothing the piece until it reached the desired appearance. Provenance: Private collection The Supplier warrants that is has obtained this item in a legal manner. Purchased by the father of current owner on 20th February 1980 in Madrid, Spain, from JACQUES BERKOWITSCH (former in the private collection of an spanish gentleman deceased …