A Costa Rican Jade Axe Pendant, Early Classic Period, ca. 500 - 800 CE Central Australia with light cosmetic painting over

with light cosmetic painting over the break line

Provenance: Ex

and be set in a gold chase suspended from the neck

making this extraordinary piece very unique

collection #CH420

A Costa Rican Jade Axe Pendant, Early Classic Period, ca. 500 - 800 CE Central Australia with light cosmetic painting overCosta Rican jade pendants are often in the form of "axe gods," in which an effigy carving of an animal, person, or a combination thereof surmounts a smooth blade in the form of a polished axe or celt and is drilled transversely for suspension. These celts were not functional weapons but rather badges of office, status, or clan type affiliation and were worn on the person as pendants. Purposefully shaped like functional axes or celts, these highly