Overview: 293 ceremonial, decorative, and utilitarian objects in gold, jade, terracotta, and volcanic stone were assembled. The works, which dated from c. 500 B.C. to the mid-16th century, were installed chronologically and geographically. Wall labels were provided in English and Spanish.

Organization: The exhibition was organized by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Gaillard Ravenel and Mark Leithauser designed the exhibition for the National Gallery and Charles B. Froom designed the exhibition for the Detroit Institute, in consultation with a scientific committee of Julie Jones of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Michael Kan of Detroit, and Michael J. Snarskis of the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica. Cases for gold were lined with green velvet and orchids were massed at the exhibition entrance.

Sponsor: The exhibition was supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities, Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act.

Other Venues:

• San Antonio Museum of Art, 06/21/1982–09/12/1982
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 10/25/1982–01/16/1983
• Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, 02/28/1983–05/22/1983
• San Diego Museum of Art, 07/04/1983–09/25/1983
• Detroit Institute of Arts, 11/07/1983–01/29/1984