Artwork Page for Celt-Shaped Pendant

Details / Information for Celt-Shaped Pendant

Celt-Shaped Pendant

c. 300 BCE–600 CE

Costa Rica, Southern Nicoya region

Medium
jadeite
Measurements
Overall: 15.2 x 5.4 cm (6 x 2 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
James Albert and Mary Gardiner Ford Memorial Fund 1972.4
Public Domain
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Location
233 Mesoamerican and Intermediate Region
Print

Description

Costa Rican jade pendants may imitate the shape of axe blades (celts) used for agriculture. The pendants often take the form of "axe gods," creatures with human, bird, or animal traits. Jade carving was common in Costa Rica before ad 500, but then declined in importance. Gold eventually replaced jade as the region’s preferred luxury material.

Celt-Shaped Pendant

c. 300 BCE–600 CE

Costa Rica, Southern Nicoya region

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