Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste/Nicoya region, ca. 200 to 600 CE. An impressive transformational jade pendant from the ancients of Costa Rica, hand-carved and string-cut on both sides from a beautiful piece of pale green jade, depicting a shaman on one side, standing quite erectly with arms and legs held closely to the body, with an expressive visage comprised of abstract, stylized features including circular concave eyes, a wide triangular nose, and a closed elliptical mouth, and a nude body except for the cross-hatched headband. The figure's body is nicely delineated with details including a revealed belly button, four toes on each foot, and five-fingered though weblike hands - both signs that the figure has begun to transform into the amamorphic creature delineated on the verso - a wonderful prone crocodile with a carefully incised double row of square scales running from jaws to tail, front and hind legs/feet, large round eyes, and toothy jaws. In the Pre-Columbian world, the crocodile being the oldest (approximately 55 million years old) species of the Crocodilia order (which also includes smaller alligators and yet smaller caymans) was understood as a crocodilian earth monster and is oftentimes shown giving rise to what was known as the World Tree. Partial to a watery habitat, the crocodile is also a metaphor for fertility. Quite a spectacular hybrid form, so finely carved from an inherently stunning piece of jade! Lateral perforations behind the heads for suspension. Custom, museum-quality stand. Size: 1.875" W x 7.5" H (4.8 cm x 19 cm); 7.875" H (20 cm) on stand.

Provenance: Ex-Private Spanish collection acquired in the 1980's

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