Bird pendant
Tropical Costa Rica is the habitat of an enormous number of bird species, many of which acquired symbolic dimensions in depictions in stone. This pendant, made of a jadeite of great clarity, features a toucan. Yet its upright stance and folded arms indicate that the figure is anthropomorphic, implying perhaps that it is a masked or transformation figure.
Greenstone pendants were manufactured from a variety of raw materials in the Central and the Greater Nicoya regions of Costa Rica starting as early as 500 BCE, until around 800 CE. Although some of those materials were locally available, the nearest known source specifically of jadeite is in the region of the Motagua River in Guatemala. Therefore, the use of jadeite in ancient Costa Rica reveals long-distance connections across Central America. The appearance of this distinctive style of pendant, made from imported materials, during a period of incipient social inequalities, suggests that they were a sign of prestige and differentiation.
Greenstone pendants were manufactured from a variety of raw materials in the Central and the Greater Nicoya regions of Costa Rica starting as early as 500 BCE, until around 800 CE. Although some of those materials were locally available, the nearest known source specifically of jadeite is in the region of the Motagua River in Guatemala. Therefore, the use of jadeite in ancient Costa Rica reveals long-distance connections across Central America. The appearance of this distinctive style of pendant, made from imported materials, during a period of incipient social inequalities, suggests that they were a sign of prestige and differentiation.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bird pendant
- Artist: Central Region artist(s)
- Date: 300–700 CE
- Geography: Costa Rica, Central Region
- Culture: Central Region
- Medium: Jadeite
- Dimensions: H. 2 5/8 x W. 3/4 x D. 1 7/8 in. (6.7 x 1.9 x 4.7 cm)
- Classifications: Stone-Ornaments, Jade
- Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
- Object Number: 1979.206.1138
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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Central Region artist(s)
1 - 500 CE
Central Region artist(s)
300–800 CE
Central Region artist(s)
300–800 CE
Central Region artist(s)
300–700 CE
Chiriquí artist(s)
700–1550 CE
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