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.
Axe forms are an integral part of virtually every
culture known to man. However, Costa Rican
axes in the shape of figure-celt pendants
fashioned from jade are quite distinctive. Jade is
a very rare and unique gemstone, found in only
half a dozen parts of the world, Mesoamerica
being one of these locations. Moreover, because
of its structure, jade is one of the toughest and
most durable of stones, resulting in the
ineffectualness of the metals known to the Pre-
Columbian Costa Ricans as lapidary tools.
Therefore, the materials that the artists used to
fashion such extraordinary jade masterpieces
were primarily stones as hard as jade, bamboo,
twine, sand and water. Here we see the amazing
results of an artist's use of these materials,
sawing, carving, sanding, drilling, abrading and
polishing the raw jade to produce a
sophisticated work of art--one which is
dramatically appealing to all who experience its
spirited beauty. We see the bold image of a jade
axe carved in the stylized shape of a human
figure with hands positioned over his chest, the
mask-like face radiating an intrinsic power and
energy. Polished to an incredibly high sheen,
light reflecting magically off its smooth, tactile
surface, this figure-celt pendant is a testament
to the artistic achievements of a culture now lost
in time, but certainly not lost in spirit.
