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Frog Pendant
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
In general, frogs and toads symbolize life-giving water and the green growth it promotes. More surprising is their mythical role as keepers or donors of fire, an association perhaps enhanced by the bright colors that many frogs "flash" when startled, a form of protection. Brightly colored frogs, including those with golden tones, also produce very poisonous toxins, which in part led to a final connection with the underworld and death.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineFrog Pendant, c. 1000–1550. Panama, Veraguas-Chiriquí style, 11th-16th century. Cast gold; overall: 2 x 6.8 x 0.7 cm (13/16 x 2 11/16 x 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. Malcolm L. McBride, 1963.250
