Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya culture, 100 to 900 CE. A stunning hand-pecked and polished piece of omphacite jade strung on a modern cord as a wearable pendant. The stone is a stunning mottled pale to dark green hue, and to achieve the silky surface the artisan may have used an abrasive life sand, pulverized stones such as hematite or even jade dust, and water to polish until lustrous - a time consuming process since jade is a very hard stone. Jade was revered by the Maya not only for its beauty, but also because it had spiritual power - it was believed to be the embodiment of the wind and the "breath" that formed the Maya soul. Size of jade: 2" L x 1.75" W (5.1 cm x 4.4 cm); cord: 21" L (53.3 cm)

Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000

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#175226

Old chip and abrasion to surface and nicks around drill holes, otherwise intact and excellent. Strung on modern cord as a wearable necklace.