In addition to being rare and beautiful, jade is the
toughest and most durable of stones. Since
weapons and cutting tools of jade greatly excel
those of other stones, they became symbols of
authority and ceremony. In elaborate burials and
offerings, a high proportion of the surviving
objects are made of jade, seemingly an indication
that the material itself had assumed mystical
qualities. In Middle America, the stones selected
by ancient people were predominantly green,
although they may not have been jadeite or
nephrite. Here, we have before us an exemplary
work of unprecedented skill and design. The
artist's mastery of lapidary work is clearly
demonstrated by the perfect control and
symmetry of each stroke. When you hold it in
your hands, you can feel the artist's undivided
attention and care in each of the smooth crevices
along the surface. The frog symbolizes fertility
and rain which enables birth, growth and the
continuity of life, itself. This important and
obviously worshiped symbol is depicted so
creatively by the artist. The frogs appear to
follow each other from one imaginary infinite
point to another creating the illusion of eternity
and symbolizing the continuity of life. There are
two holes drilled on either side of the pendant to
be worn by a special ruler during a fertility
ceremony or ritual in honor of the rains. The
lush green color of the stone and the artist's
exemplary talent combined with the symbolism
of the frog creates a masterpiece unsurpassed by
its contemporaries.
- (PF.3136)
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