Poporo Quimbaya Inspired Openwork Earrings

Materials
– Gold-plated elements made in Colombia using the lost-wax casting technique
– Golden finish: 24k gold plating over a copper base, with a soft satin matte patina

Size
– Total length: 4.8 cm
– Diameter of medallion: 2.8 cm
– Lightweight and comfortable to wear

Closure
– Stud earrings with nickel-free straight post
– Secured with large push-back fastenings: soft silicone discs with inner gold-tone core

Each gold-toned component in the Galeria Eldorado collection is crafted using the lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue), echoing methods once mastered by ancient Colombian goldsmiths.

In Bogotá, local artisans sculpt or mould each design in wax. The wax models are encased in a heat-resistant material, then kiln-fired to melt the wax and create a hollow form. Molten copper is poured into this cavity to produce the final piece.

After casting, the metal is carefully cleaned and polished, coated with a layer of silver, and plated with two layers of 24k gold.

A final satin matte finish softly diffuses the light, giving the metal a warm, timeworn glow — evocative of ancient ceremonial jewellery.

This meticulous, hands-on process ensures the uniqueness and authenticity of every piece.

These earrings reproduce the openwork base of the Poporo Quimbaya — one of the most iconic artefacts of pre-Hispanic Colombia, crafted around 300 CE by the Quimbaya people in the Cauca River Valley.

Poporos were ceremonial vessels used to store powdered lime for the ritual chewing of coca leaves — a sacred practice among many Andean and Amazonian cultures.

Although these ancient civilizations left no written records, their worldview was conveyed through symbolic forms inspired by nature and the cycles of life. Today, such artefacts are interpreted in light of living indigenous traditions, where shamans remain guardians of balance and spiritual continuity.

The perforated disc, precisely replicated here, may have evoked breath, flow, or the porous boundary between inner and outer worlds — reflecting the poporo’s role as a conduit between the visible and the invisible.

Delicate yet bold, this design invites a quiet meditation on transformation, continuity, and the ancestral wisdom carried through timeless forms.

Galeria Eldorado features jewellery inspired by the goldwork of ancient Colombian civilizations such as the Muisca, Quimbaya, Tairona, Zenú, Calima and Tolima.

These cultures flourished across present-day Colombia from around 1500 BCE until the early 16th century, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of ornaments in tumbaga — an alloy of gold, copper, and sometimes silver.

Today, these artefacts are preserved in major museums, including the Museo del Oro (Bogotá), the Museum of Ethnology (Berlin), the Museo de las Américas (Madrid), the MET (New York), the British Museum (London) and the Musée du Quai Branly (Paris).

Galeria Eldorado revives these ancestral forms through contemporary craftsmanship.

Each piece is handcrafted in small series, using traditional techniques and natural materials. The golden elements are cast and finished in Bogotá, continuing the lineage of Colombia’s ancestral goldsmithing heritage.

Bracelets, earrings, and necklaces featuring natural stones are often one-of-a-kind, selected and assembled individually to ensure the uniqueness of each piece.

To preserve the satin matte finish of the gold-plated components, avoid contact with water, perfumes, or cosmetics.

This soft surface is designed to absorb and gently diffuse light, echoing the patina of ancient ceremonial objects.

Clean gently with a soft dry cloth and store in a separate pouch to avoid scratches.

With proper care, your piece will retain its warm, understated glow for years to come.

Details

If you have any special requests or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us via WhatsApp at (+34) 664 424 384 or by email at boutique@ambart-palma.com.

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