**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste/Nicoya region, ca. 200 to 600 CE. Finely carved from blue-green jade, an avian axe god; the lower section a nice celt form, the upper section representing a perky bird denizen of the Costa Rican rainforest with a delicately delineated beak, striated bands, and jutting crest feathers. The piece is laterally drilled at the head allowing it to be worn as a pendant. Among ancient Costa Ricans, birds were understood to be able to communicate with both earthly and heavenly individuals, while jade was associated with fertility. Size: 0.9" W x 2.6" H (2.3 cm x 6.6 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Santa Barbara, California, USA collection; ex-Charles Craig collection, before 2000

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#179669

Miniscule nicks to blade edge and some small abrasions in areas, but otherwise, intact and excellent with smooth surfaces and light earthen deposits. Nice remaining detail. Wearable as a pendant.