In the context of Pre-Columbian art and
archaeology, jade is a generic term that refers to
any variety of hard, dense stones that were
worked with great skill by native artists. Although
jade is generally thought to be green, it can
actually be a range of colors. Jade carving
flourished in ancient Costa Rica for over a
thousand years, roughly from 500 B.C. to 900
A.D., although the period of greatest artistic
accomplishment lasted from 300 to 700 A.D. It is
believed that jade working began during an
extended period of agricultural abundance that
allowed the ancient society to dedicate part of its
energies toward the cultivation of artistic
pursuits.
Jade was considered to be a sacred material by
the ancient populations of Costa Rica, held in
even higher esteem than gold. Generally, it was
thought to symbolize that vital life force that
sustains us all. The color green is naturally
associated with verdant plant life. Specifically,
jade was thought to symbolize the sprouting
maize plant, that staple of the Pre-Columbian
diet. It has also been suggested that jade
represents water. Either way, we can be certain
that jade represented the very essence of life
itself.
To date, no native sources of jade have been
discovered in Costa Rica, suggesting an extended
trade network existed that imported this precious
resource from Mesoamerica into Costa Rica
where it was carved by local artists. Such trade
also would have brought great wealth and likely
reinforced the social stratification of the peoples.
Jade may have served as a status marker to
distinguish the elite from the masses and solidify
their hold on power. We can picture an ancient
ruler or shaman presiding over a sacred
ceremonial adorned in brilliant green jade
pendants and jewelry. The ancient Costa Ricans
believe that the system of social hierarchy also
extended into the afterlife. Therefore, jade
objects were buried with the elite so that their
power could be maintained throughout eternity.
This fascinating jade zoomorphic 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 unusual
pendant is a splendidly carved jade full of rich
symbolism. Possibly worn during a ritual by a
chieftain or a shaman, the pendant depicts two
crocodile heads facing away from each other on
top of an almost perfectly round ring. The area
between the two crocodile heads is decorated
with incised patterns. Moreover, the ring is
supported by a small jaguar figure. Portrayed
with divine figures such as crocodiles and a
jaguar, the pendant possibly symbolize the
conflicting force of nature, or joining of the
opposing forces by the concentric ring. The
beautiful pendant's cool green color is visually
and emotionally soothing. Its calm and timeless
presence and power appeal to our senses as it
did to people of Ancient Costa Rica. Even across
the obstacles of time and culture, the finely
carved jade amulet's vibrant power and magic
are undeniably evident today.
