Lot 99
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, ca. 1 to 800 CE. An incredible deep forest green serpentine mace head in the form of a jaguar head with recognizable features on one side and a smooth butt, with the two sides separated by raised, hollow columns that project from the sides and serve as both "ears" of the jaguar and additional attachments for a handle. A large, columnar opening in the center would have had a pole, probably made of wood, fitted through it. Drilled and string-cut by an ancient artisan to render the face which features shallow, round eyes, a broad snout with raised center, and a huge open mouth the width of the mace with an incised tongue. Size: 3.4" W x 1.45" H (8.6 cm x 3.7 cm)
The value of jade and similar greenstone for people in ancient Central America lay in their symbolic power. Scholars believe that green was associated with water and vegetation and greenstone items were often given to the dead; north of Costa Rica, the Maya would place beads of that material in the mouths of the dead. Many scholars have argued that the demand for high quality greenstone contributed to the creation of long distance trading networks and to the rise of urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica. it would have come to Costa Rica in the form of axe-blades (celts) that would then be worked by local artisans into pendants like this one. The exoticism of stone that had traveled so far probably contributed to the value of these objects in ancient Costa Rica.
See a similar example that hammered at Christie's on November 12, 2004 (Lot 82) for $13,145 USD.
Provenance: ex-Craig Hendrix collection, South Carolina, USA; ex-Charles Craig Jr. collection, Costa Rica, acquired in the 1960s and 1970s
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#154099
- Condition: Intact and in excellent condition with light deposits in lower profile areas.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |