Maya Jade Disc Earspools, Ik' Breath Symbolism
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 500–800 CE. A matched pair of ear ornaments carved from translucent blue-green jade, each a disc of softly swelling profile whose face sweeps inward to a wide central perforation. The reverse of each carries an integral projecting tube, the shaft that passed through the distended earlobe, and two small drilled holes for the counterweight cords or perishable flare inserts that once hung behind. The stone is worked to a satin polish, the pale veining left visible rather than disguised. Jade ear ornaments of this scale belonged to the elite wardrobe, worn by rulers, nobles, and deities alike in Maya imagery, and were frequently interred with their owners. Mounted for display on a custom lucite and hardwood base. Size: 1.875" Diam (4.8 cm Diam).
Jade was the most valuable substance in the Maya world, prized above gold and quarried almost exclusively from the serpentinite belt of the Motagua River valley in present-day Guatemala. Its blue-green range carried a dense knot of associations: maize, water, breath, and the vital essence the Maya called ik'. Earspools appear constantly in Classic period sculpture and painted vases, framing the faces of rulers on stelae and of the Maize God in his most idealized guise, and the assembled ornament often combined a jade flare with a bead counterweight and a perishable tubular insert.
Working the stone required abrasion rather than cutting. Jadeite is harder than any tool the Maya possessed, so lapidaries shaped and hollowed these discs with cord, reed drills, water, and quartz sand, a slow attritional process that made a finished pair a considerable investment of labor as well as material.
Provenance: Collection of Jimmy Belilty, Miami. Acquired 1990’s from the collection of Hector Santamarina, Miami, 1950’s - 1960’s.
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 #
73066
Condition
Intact, Excellent condition
Buyer's Premium
30%
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 500–800 CE. A matched pair of ear ornaments carved from translucent blue-green jade, each a disc of softly swelling profile whose face sweeps inward to a wide central perforation. The reverse of each carries an integral projecting tube, the shaft that passed through the distended earlobe, and two small drilled holes for the counterweight cords or perishable flare inserts that once hung behind. The stone is worked to a satin polish, the pale veining left visible rather than disguised. Jade ear ornaments of this scale belonged to the elite wardrobe, worn by rulers, nobles, and deities alike in Maya imagery, and were frequently interred with their owners. Mounted for display on a custom lucite and hardwood base. Size: 1.875" Diam (4.8 cm Diam).
Jade was the most valuable substance in the Maya world, prized above gold and quarried almost exclusively from the serpentinite belt of the Motagua River valley in present-day Guatemala. Its blue-green range carried a dense knot of associations: maize, water, breath, and the vital essence the Maya called ik'. Earspools appear constantly in Classic period sculpture and painted vases, framing the faces of rulers on stelae and of the Maize God in his most idealized guise, and the assembled ornament often combined a jade flare with a bead counterweight and a perishable tubular insert.
Working the stone required abrasion rather than cutting. Jadeite is harder than any tool the Maya possessed, so lapidaries shaped and hollowed these discs with cord, reed drills, water, and quartz sand, a slow attritional process that made a finished pair a considerable investment of labor as well as material.
Provenance: Collection of Jimmy Belilty, Miami. Acquired 1990’s from the collection of Hector Santamarina, Miami, 1950’s - 1960’s.
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 #
73066
Condition
Intact, Excellent condition
Buyer's Premium
30%
