Maya Jadeite Face Pendant, Human Maskette
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 200–500 CE. A human face emerges from mottled blue-green and cream jadeite, the stone's speckled matrix reading almost like dappled light across the cheeks. The carver worked in low relief: a narrow angular nose ridged from the brow, softly modeled lips parted by a single incised line, and shallow recessed eyes beneath an incised browline that continues across a plain forehead band. A single biconically drilled suspension hole pierces the upper rear ridge, confirming the maskette was meant to hang, likely as a chest or belt ornament worn by an elite. Jadeite was the most valued substance in the Maya world, and pendants of this scale carried status and probably protective meaning for the wearer. Mounted on a custom base for display. Size: 2.125" W x 2" H x 1.25" D (5.4 cm W x 5.1 cm H x 3.2 cm D).
Maya jadeite came almost exclusively from the Motagua River valley of present-day Guatemala, the only confirmed source in Mesoamerica, and it moved along trade routes that reached from the Peten to the Gulf Coast. Its value was not merely aesthetic: green stone was linked to maize, breath, and the vital soul, and rulers were interred with jade masks, beads placed in the mouth, and pectoral ornaments of exactly this kind.
Small carved heads and maskettes were among the most common elite forms. Because jadeite is harder than steel and could not be cut with the metal tools unavailable to Maya lapidaries, such pieces were shaped entirely by abrasion, sawing with cord and sand slurry and drilling with hollow reeds. The hourglass profile of a biconical perforation, drilled from both faces until the bores meet, is the signature of that patient technology.
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 #
73068
Condition
Ancient loss to his left cheek covered with by an ancient deposit, some remaining scattered surface deposits.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 200–500 CE. A human face emerges from mottled blue-green and cream jadeite, the stone's speckled matrix reading almost like dappled light across the cheeks. The carver worked in low relief: a narrow angular nose ridged from the brow, softly modeled lips parted by a single incised line, and shallow recessed eyes beneath an incised browline that continues across a plain forehead band. A single biconically drilled suspension hole pierces the upper rear ridge, confirming the maskette was meant to hang, likely as a chest or belt ornament worn by an elite. Jadeite was the most valued substance in the Maya world, and pendants of this scale carried status and probably protective meaning for the wearer. Mounted on a custom base for display. Size: 2.125" W x 2" H x 1.25" D (5.4 cm W x 5.1 cm H x 3.2 cm D).
Maya jadeite came almost exclusively from the Motagua River valley of present-day Guatemala, the only confirmed source in Mesoamerica, and it moved along trade routes that reached from the Peten to the Gulf Coast. Its value was not merely aesthetic: green stone was linked to maize, breath, and the vital soul, and rulers were interred with jade masks, beads placed in the mouth, and pectoral ornaments of exactly this kind.
Small carved heads and maskettes were among the most common elite forms. Because jadeite is harder than steel and could not be cut with the metal tools unavailable to Maya lapidaries, such pieces were shaped entirely by abrasion, sawing with cord and sand slurry and drilling with hollow reeds. The hourglass profile of a biconical perforation, drilled from both faces until the bores meet, is the signature of that patient technology.
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 #
73068
Condition
Ancient loss to his left cheek covered with by an ancient deposit, some remaining scattered surface deposits.
Buyer's Premium
30%
