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Why were goldsmiths highly respected in pre-Hispanic American societies?
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metalwork
Warrior and attendants plaque, brass relief sculpture by Edo artists in the court of the kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria), 16th–17th century; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
In pre-Hispanic American societies, goldsmiths were considered a privileged and highly respected group due to their mastery of complex technical skills and their vital role in creating objects of religious and social significance.1
Their status was reinforced by several factors:
- Specialized Expertise: Goldsmiths mastered sophisticated techniques, including cold hammering, annealing, lost-wax casting, and the creation of intricate alloys, such as the complex gold-platinum beads produced in Ecuador.1
- Social and Religious Role: These artisans often held a unique position within the social hierarchy, sometimes serving as full-time government workers supported by the state, as seen with the kori-camayoc in the Inca Empire. Their craft was frequently hereditary, with secrets passed down from father to son.1
- Divine Association: Goldsmiths were often associated with specific patron deities, such as Xipe Totec in Mexico or Chibchachun in Colombia, reflecting the spiritual importance of their work.1
- Elite Production: Because they produced exclusive items for the elite and for religious functions, their labor was essential to the expression of social rank and the performance of ritual activities.12