Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mayan Territories, ca. 500 to 950 CE. A very large, tubular bead carved from a beautiful jade stone of rich verdant hues with very fine black and russet inclusions. To the indigenous of the ancient Americas, jade was a stone that carried powerful symbolism. Jade ornaments were used in ceremonial rituals and as adornments for the elite. This example is among the finest pieces we have seen for its brilliant green color, variegated nature of the stone, and sizable scale. Size: 3.875" L x .875" in diameter (9.8 cm x 2.2 cm)

Jade was revered by the Maya not only for its beauty, but also because it had spiritual power - it was believed to be the embodiment of the wind and the "breath" that formed the Maya soul. In addition, scholars argue that its color was associated with water and vegetation. While the Maya used jade beads to create impressive jewelry, we also know that they placed jade beads in the mouths of the dead, perhaps as a means of extending the circle of life. Furthermore, many scholars have argued that the demand for jadeite contributed to the rise of long distance trading networks as well as the rise of urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica.

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired over twenty years ago

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#123046

  • Condition: Near choice if not choice.

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May 18, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000