Costa Rican Jade Pendant in Bird Form
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Description
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, ca. 600 to 800 CE. A beautiful, abstract pendant in the form of a seated bird, made of highly polished, pale blue green jadeite. Creating using string cutting, drilling, and sandstone smoothing techniques, the bird has a huge crest and a long, straight tail, giving the impression of the bright, tropical bird it probably depicts. It is drilled through for suspension on its lower body. Size: 2.4" L x 0.4" W x 1.45" H (6.1 cm x 1 cm x 3.7 cm)
The value of jade for people in ancient Central America lay in its symbolic power: perhaps its color was associated with water and vegetation; later, the Maya would place jade beads in the mouths of the dead. Many scholars have argued that the demand for jadeite contributed to the rise of long distance trading networks and to the rise of urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica. Jade would have come to Costa Rica in the form of axe-blades (celts) that would then be worked by local artisans into pendants like this one. The exoticism of stone that had traveled so far probably contributed to the value of these objects in ancient Costa Rica. By 800 CE, gold had replaced jade as the prestige material.
Provenance: private Vaught Collection, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#125331
The value of jade for people in ancient Central America lay in its symbolic power: perhaps its color was associated with water and vegetation; later, the Maya would place jade beads in the mouths of the dead. Many scholars have argued that the demand for jadeite contributed to the rise of long distance trading networks and to the rise of urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica. Jade would have come to Costa Rica in the form of axe-blades (celts) that would then be worked by local artisans into pendants like this one. The exoticism of stone that had traveled so far probably contributed to the value of these objects in ancient Costa Rica. By 800 CE, gold had replaced jade as the prestige material.
Provenance: private Vaught Collection, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#125331
Condition
Two small chips from surface, with encrustation inside.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Costa Rican Jade Pendant in Bird Form
Estimate $500 - $750
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