Pre-Columbian crushed gilded frog figure

Flattened, originally hollow frog figure. The spine is indicated by a double row of squares (see Stone & Balser, 1958:fig. 9f). This tumbago figure (of copper and gold) was a grave-gift, presumably used as a pendant and/or amulet. Possibly this object was ceremonially 'killed' at burial, broken up, with the spirit of the object accompanying the deceased to the afterlife (Emmerich, 1965:109).‗In America there was a widespread belief in the afterlife. Gifts were given to the dead, often utensils such as earthenware pots, weapons and food (corn, peanuts, beans etc.).