The Patu frog by Cano Jewelry is a gold frog pendant and brooch inspired by the sacred frog of the TAYRONA people of Colombia. Here is the story behind our most iconic piece.
The Patu: Cano Jewelry's iconic gold frog
Every jewelry house has one piece people recognize from across a room. At Cano Jewelry, that piece is the Patu: a gold frog worn as a pendant or pinned as a brooch. Since its launch, the Patu frog has become the signature of Cano Jewelry, the piece our community asks about first and the one most often seen on social media.
The meaning of the frog in TAYRONA culture
For the TAYRONA people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the frog was sacred. It was a symbol of fertility, abundance and renewal, linked to water, rain and the cycles of the earth. TAYRONA goldsmiths cast frogs in gold again and again, and these pre-Columbian gold frogs are among the most recognizable treasures of Colombian art.
The Patu frog carries that meaning forward. Wearing it is a way of carrying a symbol of abundance and connection with nature that is more than a thousand years old.
A gold frog made by hand, the pre-Columbian way
Each Patu is cast in 24kt gold-plated brass using the lost wax technique, the same method used by pre-Columbian goldsmiths and the one Cano Jewelry has worked with since 1970. The result is a sculptural frog in matte gold, with the texture and weight of an object made by hand in Colombia.
- Material: 24kt gold-plated brass
- Color: Matte gold
- Length: 6 cm (2.36 in)
- Width: 5.3 cm (2.08 in)
- Handmade in Colombia
Shop the Patu gold frog pendant and brooch
How to wear the Patu: frog pendant or frog brooch
The Patu was designed to be worn two ways.
As a frog necklace. Hang the Patu from one of our chains or leather cords, on its own or layered with other pieces.
As a frog brooch. Pin it to the lapel of a blazer, the collar of a coat or a knit.
The Patu frog in silver
The Patu is also available in 925 sterling silver, as a limited edition made to order. Same TAYRONA frog, same handmade process, in a cooler tone.
Shop the Patu silver frog pendant and brooch
The Patu is also available through Moda Operandi.
Frequently asked questions about the Patu frog
What is the Patu by Cano Jewelry?
The Patu is a gold frog pendant and brooch by Cano Jewelry, inspired by the sacred frog of the TAYRONA culture of Colombia. It is handmade in 24kt gold-plated brass and also comes in 925 sterling silver.
What does the frog symbolize in pre-Columbian jewelry?
For the TAYRONA, the frog symbolized fertility, abundance and renewal, and was associated with water and rain.
Can the Patu be worn as a necklace?
Yes. The Patu works as a pendant on any Cano Jewelry chain or leather cord, and as a brooch.
Where is the Patu made?
Every Patu is handmade in Colombia using the lost wax technique.
Does Cano Jewelry have other frog jewelry?
Yes. Our frog jewelry collection brings together the Patu and other pieces inspired by the TAYRONA frog, including earrings, rings, charms and cufflinks.
If you love the Patu, meet the Hampi
The Hampi is the Patu's sister piece. Inspired by ZENÚ goldwork, its floral and spiral details speak of balance and harmony. Like the Patu, it is worn as a pendant or a brooch, and the two are often styled together.
Discover the Hampi or explore all Cano Jewelry frog jewelry.