The Gold of El Dorado: The Heritage of Colombia (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1979 November 13 - 1980 March 18

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened in November 13, 1979 and closed March 18, 1980. Located in Section 3, Floor 3 in Gallery 3 at the American Museum of Natural History. "The Gold of El Dorado: The Heritage of Colombia" was an exhibition displaying a collection of predominately gold artifacts from Columbia, South America.

Summary

"The Gold of El Dorado: The Heritage of Colombia" was an exhibition displaying a collection of predominately gold artifacts from Columbia, South America. The more than 500 gold objects on view - many more than 1000 years old- were drawn primarily from the Gold Museum in Bogota, Colombia. In addition, more than 100 items of pottery as well as objects of stone, wood and cloth were displayed. Dr. Thomas D. Nicholson, then Director of the Museum, negotiated with Colombian officials for the release of the collection. The exhibition originated at a European tour at the Royal Academy in London and continued on to Hannover, Federal Republic of West Germany before coming to the Museum. Ralph Appelbaum was the design consultant for the exhibit which was on view in Gallery 3 of the American Museum of Natural History from November 13, 1979 through March 18, 1980. The exhibit then travelled to the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; and the New Orleans Museum of Art. The national tour was sponsored by Chemical Bank with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities.

Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: AMNH Department of Anthropology (South American Archeology)

Sources

American Museum of Natural History Press Releases May 14, 1979, August 1979 and October 23, 1979. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Gallery 3.
Location of exhibition.

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