Maya Jade Coiled Serpent, Openwork Plaque
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 500–800 CE. A coiled serpent worked in creamy blue-green jade, its body curling inward to a tight spiral that leaves an open crescent at the center of the plaque. The head rises at the upper edge with an upturned snout, parted jaws, and an incised almond eye, while shallow grooves segment the sinuous body and mark the flank. Both faces are ground smooth and lightly polished, the openwork cut through from a single tabular blank, with a biconical suspension hole drilled near the upper margin for wear as a chest or headdress ornament. Serpents carried associations with rain, ancestral vision, and dynastic power, so such a jade was likely an emblem of elite rank rather than simple adornment. Size: 2.375" W x 1.75" H (6.0 cm W x 4.4 cm H).
Jade was the most valuable substance in the Maya world, prized above gold and quarried chiefly from serpentinite deposits along the Motagua River valley in present-day Guatemala. Its blue-green range was linked to maize, water, and breath, and finished ornaments circulated as tribute, diplomatic gifts, and heirlooms across generations before being interred with their owners.
The serpent, particularly the vision serpent whose coiling body framed apparitions of ancestors in Classic period iconography, was among the most charged motifs available to a lapidary. Working it in jade demanded patience: with no metal tools, artisans sawed, drilled, and abraded the stone with string, sand, and water, so an openwork piece of this scale represents a considerable investment of labor.
Provenance: Ex. Emily Mead collection, Santa Fe. Ex. Anthony Carnaggio, NYC.
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 #
73069
Condition
Some ancient eroded loss behind the serpents head and an ancient loss on the lower rear curl, otherwise intact, overall Excellent condition.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 500–800 CE. A coiled serpent worked in creamy blue-green jade, its body curling inward to a tight spiral that leaves an open crescent at the center of the plaque. The head rises at the upper edge with an upturned snout, parted jaws, and an incised almond eye, while shallow grooves segment the sinuous body and mark the flank. Both faces are ground smooth and lightly polished, the openwork cut through from a single tabular blank, with a biconical suspension hole drilled near the upper margin for wear as a chest or headdress ornament. Serpents carried associations with rain, ancestral vision, and dynastic power, so such a jade was likely an emblem of elite rank rather than simple adornment. Size: 2.375" W x 1.75" H (6.0 cm W x 4.4 cm H).
Jade was the most valuable substance in the Maya world, prized above gold and quarried chiefly from serpentinite deposits along the Motagua River valley in present-day Guatemala. Its blue-green range was linked to maize, water, and breath, and finished ornaments circulated as tribute, diplomatic gifts, and heirlooms across generations before being interred with their owners.
The serpent, particularly the vision serpent whose coiling body framed apparitions of ancestors in Classic period iconography, was among the most charged motifs available to a lapidary. Working it in jade demanded patience: with no metal tools, artisans sawed, drilled, and abraded the stone with string, sand, and water, so an openwork piece of this scale represents a considerable investment of labor.
Provenance: Ex. Emily Mead collection, Santa Fe. Ex. Anthony Carnaggio, NYC.
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 #
73069
Condition
Some ancient eroded loss behind the serpents head and an ancient loss on the lower rear curl, otherwise intact, overall Excellent condition.
Buyer's Premium
30%
