Lot 230A
Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya region, ca. 200 to 600 CE. A gleaming figural pendant sculpted from rich green jadeite, depicting a standing anthropomorphic figure with hands crossed at the waist and legs set wide in a frontal pose. His angular face is deeply modeled, with a strong jawline, pierced circular eyes, and a triangular nose above straight lips. Most striking is the elaborate headdress carved in high relief atop his head: a pair of opposing zoomorphic heads, likely representing supernatural creatures or spirit animals, face outward in profile. A suspension hole is drilled horizontally through the neck, allowing the figure to be worn as a pendant. This type of piercing is a diagnostic feature of Guanacaste-Nicoya jade ornaments, which were often worn by high-status individuals in ritual contexts. The fine polish and clarity of detail attest to the region's exceptional lapidary tradition during the Middle to Late Formative period. Size: 0.8" L x 1.5" W x 5.5" H (2 cm x 3.8 cm x 14 cm); 6.5" H (16.5 cm) on included custom stand.
In the worldview of ancient Costa Rica, jade was a symbol of sacred vitality and enduring power. The stone's verdant hue evoked life, fertility, and agricultural abundance, while the act of carving it into a human-animal hybrid may have invoked ancestral strength or shamanic transformation. An exceptional example of Pre-Columbian jade artistry, blending precision, symbolism, and presence.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
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#194989
- Condition: Intact and in excellent overall condition with nice detail and lustrous surface. Wearable as a pendant.
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| $200,000 + | $20,000 |