Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, ca. 250 to 800 CE. An exceptional Costa Rican jade celt carved from a beautiful pale blue-green, somewhat translucent jade, expertly string cut with an intricately detailed shaman figure wearing an elaborate headdress with a wide band punctuated by pierced marks and twin crocodilian heads above, back to back and in profile. The shaman\'s visage is delineated with ovoid shaped eyes, a wide nose with pierced nostrils, and a toothy mouth chomping upon a bird head, its beak held by the axe god figure, gripped in both hands which meet fingertip to fingertip. The iconography of this piece is quite rich and varied. First off, the shaman figure dons a headdress adorned with a pair of crocodile heads. The crocodile being the oldest (approximately 55 million years old) of the Crocodilia order (comprised of crocodiles, smaller alligators, and yet smaller caymans) was understood as a crocodilian earth monster in the Pre-Columbian world, and is oftentimes shown giving rise to what was known as the World Tree. Partial to a watery habitat, the crocodile was also a metaphor for fertility. Adding to this, is the avian form. In the Pre-Columbian world, birds were understood as sky animals that acted as messengers between humankind and the celestial realm. A spectacular form, replete with layers of meaning and symbolism. Double perforations behind the bird\'s eyes for suspension. Custom, museum quality stand. Size: 2" W x 4.75" H (5.1 cm x 12.1 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on stand.

Provenance: Ex - private Ex-Kentucky collection

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#118219

Intact and choice. Visible striations on both sides are inherent to the stone, not cracks.