Lot 106A
Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste / Nicoya region, ca. 200 to 600 CE. One of the finest jadeite axe god pendants we have seen, finely carved using drilling and string cutting techniques to form a front-facing woman who stands atop a small quadruped - possibly a canine or jaguar - and has two serpent-like faces atop her dramatic headdress. Aside from the headdress, she wears only a belt with an incised linear motif that matches that of the brim of the headdress. Her hands, feet, and mouth are nicely incised, while her eyes and nipples are shallow drilled depressions on the surface. The entire piece is finely carved from a mottled jadeite of sage green hues with white inclusions. An opening has been drilled out between the legs with wider openings at top and bottom which may have allowed this item to be worn as a pendant or sewn to cloth. This woman's association with animals probably indicates that she is a powerful shaman. Size: 1.9" W x 5.9" H (4.8 cm x 15 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.
Provenance: ex-Craig Hendrix collection, South Carolina, USA; ex-Charles Craig Jr. collection, Costa Rica, acquired in the 1960s and 1970s
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 and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#154104
- Condition: Excellent condition with very light wear, mainly on the uncarved reverse, and limited deposits in the lower profile areas.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |