Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 1200 to 600 BCE. An interesting pendant of a petite size depicting a human face on one side and a minimalist duck visage on the other, all hand-carved from mottled, forest green omphacite jade with light green and beige inclusions. The obverse of the slender pendant features an Olmec countenance with characteristic features such as wide-set, almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose flanked by deep nasolabial folds, puffy lips, and rounded cheeks. The verso bears a bulbous, conical duck beak with a pair of slit-form nostrils and an incised groove delineating the top of the beak from the bottom. When viewed at the correct angle, the eyes of the human face are seen as the eyes of the duck's face. A biconically drilled suspension hole situated behind the pendant enables this to be worn as an attractive and ancient accessory! Size: 2.44" L x 0.98" W (6.2 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: ex-E. Thomas collection by descent from father, Southern California, USA, around 1980

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#150330

A few stable hairline fissures across face not commensurate with repairs, with light abrasions to head and duck beak, small area of chipping to top of head, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Great surface smoothness and jade coloration throughout.