256 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. II. 



( PI. XL, Fig. ^ ) is of silver and measures six and one-quarter inches 

 in length, and one and one-half inches in breadth. This image is almost 

 matched in size by one of gold (PI. XL, Fig. a), there being less 

 than one-half an inch difference in length. The smaller gold im'age 

 (PI. XLI, F'g. a) measures three and three-quarters inches in length. 

 It requires on.'y a superficial examination of all four images to dis- 

 close the identity of the design. In physiognomy, methods of dress- 

 ing the hair, and general proportions, the specimens are all alike; in 

 all likewise the sex is represented as that of the female. The hair 

 is parted in a straight line from the middle of the forehead to the 

 crown of the head and is loosely gathered about half way down the 

 back by means of a curious device, the nature of which I have not yet 

 determined. It is interesting to note also that in all the specimens the 

 head is molded after the antero-posterior deformity which was prac- 

 ticed throughout the interior of Peru. It is also interesting to note 

 the perfect agreement in design between the images from La Plata 

 and those of the Cuzco Valley, Peru (see PI. XLI, Fig. d ). 



To determine the method of manufacture of these images has 

 not been an easy matter; nor am I now sure that I have reached the 

 correct solution of the problem. The silver and the two gold images 

 are hollow, while the copper image (see PI. XLI, Fig. d) is solid and is 

 without doubt a cast. Close examination of the hollow images does 

 not reveal a seam of any sort except on the inside of the legs and from 

 the junction of these two seams up to where it is concealed under the 

 superimposed hair. The back seam is generally invisible throughout 

 and requires the closest scrutiny to make it out. The back hair, 

 covering head and back, was fashioned in a single piece and has been 

 very skillfully and neatly applied to the head and back. That the 

 images themselves were hammered into shape over some form seems 

 to me to admit of no doubt and in Fig. <r of PI. XLI I believe we 

 have such a form. This little image is of stalagmite and although it 

 shows the effect of fire, still portrays the same cast of features which 

 we find in the metal images. It is also to be noted that there has 

 been no attempt in this stone image to represent the hair; on the 

 other hand the head is of such shape as would be that of the other 

 images without the hair ornament. It seems that a sheet of gold was 

 hammered around the stone form until it was entirely covered, the 

 seam extending from the crown of the head back to the crotch and 

 so down and inside of each leg. The sheet was then slightly opened 

 and the overlapping seams were hammered by abrasion together. 

 Here and there small pieces of the metal were applied b}' means of heat 

 to give the seam a smoother finish. The legs terminate in the form 



