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BILBAO

Sacred Gold: Pre-Hispanic Art in Columbia

Essentially the conquistadors' loot, the Museo del Oro del Banco de la República in Bogotá, Columbia, has the largest collection of surviving indigenous gold objects in the world, spanning 2500 years before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. On loan from the Columbian museum are 253 extraordinary objects. These include bracelets, necklaces, crowns, and breast-plates, masks, votive figures and anthropomorphic sculptures. The 'Golden People' or 'La gente dorada' part of the exhibition refers to the legend of 'El Dorado', the name given by the conquistadors to a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and tossed gold and emeralds into a lagoon as offerings to the gods. More than 65 golden snakes, frogs, jaguars, bats, birds, lizards, and snails are featured in the Fabled Animals section, which explores the symbolism of animals.

Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao + 34 94 43 96 060 (www.museobilbao.com). Until 4 September.

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