Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste / Nicoya region, ca. 200 to 600 CE. A gorgeous carved jadeite pendant of a dark and lustrous green hue, string cut with zoomorphic features. Stylized feet and claws as well as attenuated legs and feet are carved into the obverse face on both ends. A suspension hole is drilled though the leg end, and a second suspension hole is drilled laterally between both sets of feet. The rest of the surface is highly polished, and the stone glows when backlit, attesting to the sheerness of the material and skill of the artisan. The reptilian limbs may be symbolic of a crocodile; caimans and crocodiles are both found in Costa Rican rivers and coastal areas- seen as primordial predatory beings that represented strength and fertility. A jadeite pendant such as this would have been a prized item of rank or prestige. Size: 3.65" L x 1.25" W (9.3 cm x 3.2 cm)

Provenance: private Atlanta, Georgia, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#172592

Minor surface abrasions, otherwise intact and excellent. Light mineral deposits in drilled suspension holes.