This fascinating jade bird-celt pendant is carved
of jade, a rare and beautiful stone that is much
harder than obsidian. Jade is the toughest and
most durable of the stones, and the flaking and
chipping procedures that are effective on flint
and other quartz minerals cannot work it. Its
superiority, thus, could have become evident only
at the Neolithic level of technology, when stone
could be worked by abrasion. This jade bird-
celt pendant is an animal, human or composite
effigy surmounted on an axe-like polished blade.
Such objects were drilled for suspension. This
bird-celt effigy most likely depicts a quetzal. In
Costa Rica, jade figure-celt pendants were
symbolic, high-status objects that were valued
greatly. Owners of such pendants were
influential in decisions involving land use or
redistribution of foodstuffs. Such effigies were
also important in rituals, or they may have been
clan symbols. Possessing a graceful poignancy,
this long, vertical pendant is beautifully sculpted.
The headdress mounted on the avian head is
most likely indicative of the pendant owner's
status. A precious artwork from the ancient
world, this jade pendant brings us the rich
history and symbolism buried in time.
- (PF.3618)
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