The Indiana Jones Fertility Idol or the Chachapoyan Fertility Idol is one of most memorable and desired collection pieces for many Indiana Jones enthusiasts. The idol was discovered by Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) during his adventures in the hit movie Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. This was the first artifact Indiana Jones, the treasure hunter, acquired.
The movie tells the fictional story of the Indiana Jones Fertility Idol. It was a solid gold statue, six inches tall, representing Pachamama, the Chachapoyan goddess of fertility. The idol was hidden by the tribe's priests in a temple deep within the jungles of Peru. It became a rite of passage for young Chachapoyan warriors to stare into the idol's eyes only after navigating the temple's deadly traps.
According to the story, an archaeologist named Forrestal, disappeared in the jungle attempting to recover the idol. Indiana Jones, through Forrestal’s chronicles, was able to locate the temple and extract the Idol only to have it stolen by rogue archaeologist, René Belloq. Thereafter, the Chachapoyan Fertility Idol was re-appropriated by Jones, stolen, and reclaimed by Jones again.
The Fertility Idol, although used in the movie as a fictional prop, was actually based on a real and existing greenstone carving in the pre-Columbian Collection at Dumbarton Oaks. Although its significance still remains unknown, this historical work of art is believed to represent the Aztec Goddess Tlazoltetl. However, a lot of experts believe that this piece is a historical fraud created in the late 1800s.
You can get a chrome plated prop replica of the Fertility Idol sitting atop a themed idol chamber display base to add to or begin your collection of Indiana Jones memorabilia. It measures 10” H x 10” W x 10” L and weighs 10 pounds.
This life-size replica is easily the best reproduction of the Idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark. The base detail is excellent; it's heavy and well made. The idol itself is very heavy and shiny. Overall, it’s a perfect addition to any Indiana Jones collection. In fact, the Indiana Jones Fertility Idol will likely become the centerpiece of your own collection of artifacts.
