🦴 Fig. 19 : Northern Helmeted Curassow
@dothe100dayproject
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#the100dayproject2026 #art #illustration #animalbones #curassow

“Thought to fit onto staffs of rank or office, staff heads or finials from the Caribbean Lowlands in northwestern Colombia, have a thimble-shaped cap topped with three-dimensional figures of birds, locally known animals, and humans. The small sculptures are often ornate and detailed, as is this owl sitting at the edge of the cap. Its broad head, turned at a right angle to its body, has circular eyes and a pronounced beak; it is framed by a braided element and topped by a ridged crest. The bird's chest is composed of cast filigree openwork, creating a contrast to the polished wings. This object was made by lost wax casting.”

“Perched atop a thimble-shaped cap, a bird figure adorns this gold staff finial, a decorative element that would have once crowned a wood staff. The bird’s tail bears a chevron design, and the chest is ornamented with a series of nine open spirals that emulate elaborate plumage. Its wings are understated, as if folded at its sides, alluded to only by a small outward curve on either side of the chest. Braided wire lines the base of the finial cap, while simpler wire elements frame the bulging eyes. The beak is defined by two deep grooves at the base, and is slightly open with a widening near the center. The three rows of spiral crests on the bird’s head is a common Zenú decorative motif in avian figures inspired by the helmeted curassow (Paujil de Copete) bird. While Zenú artwork is renowned for its naturalism, particularly in the representation of local fauna, artists often emphasized the most beautiful elements in the animal, sometimes even incorporating prized traits from related species. The entire work, including the false-filigree detail ("false" because it only mimics the filigree technique), was cast using the lost-wax technique.”

#MetalMonday :
Zenú artist(s); Caribbean region,
Colombia
Gold finials / staff heads with #birds ( #Owl and #Curassow), 200 BCE-1000 CE
On display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1979.206.920,.775)
#SouthAmericanArt #IndigenousArt

The pretty coiffure of the male Bare-faced Curassow in Pantanal, Brazil.

#birds #birdphotography #canon #canonR5mkii #canonRF400mmf2.8 #canonRFTC1.4 #SouthAmerica #brazil #pantanal #curassow #barefacedcurassow

A turkey-sized striped bird with a black neck and topknot and orange legs walks away from view with a smaller grey bird following close behind. They are walking on a path strewn with dry leaves and bright sun is in front of them. The lower part of two bicycle wheels can be seen in the upper right.

Maternal care! Female bare-faced curassow and chick. #pantanal #birdsofbrazil #curassow #birdsofbluesky #birding PS: 🥵 at 7:30am local time!

Red-Billed Curassow

(Chester Zoo, Chester, September 2024)

#photography #naturephotography #animalphotography #birdphotography #zoophotography #zoo #animals #conservation #aviary #birds #Curassow #RedBilledCurassow #ChesterZoo #Chester

Helmeted Curassow

(Chester Zoo, Chester, February 2024)

#photography #naturephotography #animalphotography #birdphotography #zoophotography #zoo #nature #animals #birds #Curassow #HelmetedCurassow #ChesterZoo #Chester