Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure-Celt Pendant

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Axe forms are an integral part of virtually every culture known to man. However, Costa Rican axes in the form of figure-celt pendants fashioned from jade are quite distinctive. Jade is a very rare and unique gemstone, found in only half a dozen parts of the world, Mesoamerica being one of these locations. Also, because of its internal structure, jade is one of the toughest and most durable of stones, resulting in the inability of the Pre-Columbian artists to work the stone with the metals that were known and available in Costa Rica at that time. Therefore, the ancient lapidary materials that the artists used to fashion exquisite works of art, such as this jade figure-celt pendant, were nonmetallic: stones of equal hardness, bamboo, twine, sand and water, primarily. Here we see the extraordinary results of an artist's use of these materials, sawing, carving, sanding, drilling, abrading and polishing the raw jade to produce a sophisticated masterpiece--one which is aesthetically appealing to all who experience its spirited beauty. We see the bold image of a jade axe carved in the stylized shape of a human figure with hands positioned across his chest, the mask-like face radiating an intrinsic power and energy. The ultimate in quality and refinement, this jade figure-celt pendant is a testament to the artistic achievements of a culture now lost in time, but certainly not lost in spirit. - (PF.2457)