Costa Rican Avian Axe God Pendant | Blue-Green Jade
Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, ca. 500–1000 CE. A bird spirit compressed into the body of a polished celt, carved in blue-green jade with an economy that borders on abstraction. Large round recessed eyes flank a long tapered beak, the wings folded tight against the flanks and the lower body drawn out into a broad, flaring bit like the working edge of an axe. A biconical suspension hole drilled through the neck confirms the piece was worn, likely suspended at the chest as a badge of rank and spiritual protection. The reverse is left plain and smoothly ground, allowing the stone's mottled tone to carry the surface. Objects of this class, known conventionally as axe gods, merge tool and deity in a single small-scale form. Size: 3.375" W x 1" H (8.6 cm W x 2.5 cm H).
Axe god pendants are the signature jade form of ancient Costa Rica, produced in quantity across the Atlantic Watershed, Central Highlands, and Nicoya regions during the Period IV to V horizon. Their shape descends directly from the utilitarian polished stone celt: lapidaries took the blank, reserved the poll end for a head, and let the blade end remain a blade, so the finished ornament reads simultaneously as tool and as supernatural being. Avian versions, with raptorial or long-billed heads, are among the most common, and the bird is generally understood as a mediator between earthly and celestial realms.
Costa Rican jade was worked without metal tools, using string saws, sand abrasives, and hollow reed drills; the paired biconical perforation seen here is the diagnostic trace of drilling from both faces to meet in the middle. Much of the raw material appears to have arrived through long-distance exchange with Guatemalan sources in the Motagua Valley, making these pendants markers of both craft skill and access to trade.
Provenance: Property of a NYC. architect, acquired on Ebay.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
73111
Condition
Scattered surface deposits. Intact.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, ca. 500–1000 CE. A bird spirit compressed into the body of a polished celt, carved in blue-green jade with an economy that borders on abstraction. Large round recessed eyes flank a long tapered beak, the wings folded tight against the flanks and the lower body drawn out into a broad, flaring bit like the working edge of an axe. A biconical suspension hole drilled through the neck confirms the piece was worn, likely suspended at the chest as a badge of rank and spiritual protection. The reverse is left plain and smoothly ground, allowing the stone's mottled tone to carry the surface. Objects of this class, known conventionally as axe gods, merge tool and deity in a single small-scale form. Size: 3.375" W x 1" H (8.6 cm W x 2.5 cm H).
Axe god pendants are the signature jade form of ancient Costa Rica, produced in quantity across the Atlantic Watershed, Central Highlands, and Nicoya regions during the Period IV to V horizon. Their shape descends directly from the utilitarian polished stone celt: lapidaries took the blank, reserved the poll end for a head, and let the blade end remain a blade, so the finished ornament reads simultaneously as tool and as supernatural being. Avian versions, with raptorial or long-billed heads, are among the most common, and the bird is generally understood as a mediator between earthly and celestial realms.
Costa Rican jade was worked without metal tools, using string saws, sand abrasives, and hollow reed drills; the paired biconical perforation seen here is the diagnostic trace of drilling from both faces to meet in the middle. Much of the raw material appears to have arrived through long-distance exchange with Guatemalan sources in the Motagua Valley, making these pendants markers of both craft skill and access to trade.
Provenance: Property of a NYC. architect, acquired on Ebay.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
73111
Condition
Scattered surface deposits. Intact.
Buyer's Premium
30%
