Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Rare Costa Rican Jade Axe God Guanacaste Nicoya Region A.D. 1-500

About the Item

Fine costa Rican Jade axe god with alligator head Guanacaste-Nicoya region, circa A.D. 1-500 Material: Jade Of celt form depicting the mythical part human, part avian figure. With circular eyes peering from the bird mask, the long beak with ridged caruncle resting on the chest, hands with incised fingers, and with a bird perched as headdress above. Also includes a rare alligator or crocodile head in the form of a beak. Made of green translucent jade, pierced through the neck for suspension. Symbolic of wealth and status; these treasures were worn as necklaces and pendants. Measures: Height 7.15 inches (17.2 cm) Width .75 inch (1.8 cm) Depth 1 inch (2.5 cm) Condition: Excellent. AVANTIQUES is dedicated to providing an exclusive curated collection of Fine Arts, Paintings, Bronzes, Asian treasures, Art Glass and Antiques. Our inventory represents time-tested investment quality items with everlasting decorative beauty. We look forward to your business and appreciate any reasonable offers. All of our curated items are vetted and guaranteed authentic and as described. Avantiques only deals in original antiques and never reproductions. We stand behind our treasures with a full money back return if the items are not as described. Jadeite was the most precious of all materials in the eyes of the Pre-Columbian people of Costa Rica. Jadeite and greenstone were worked into a wide variety of items from tools and utensils to items worn as emblems of social and political power. Jade objects were a sign of wealth and prestige. A common form was The Axe god pendant, which was suspended from a cord around the neck. The name "axe god" comes from the form of the pendant, which replicates the shape of the traditional stone chopping tool (or axe). While most are anthropomorphic, some represent animals or supernatural beings. There is evidence that the avian form related to land ownership or land management in COSTA Rican Mayan culture.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.2 in (18.29 cm)Width: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Style:
    Pre-Columbian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1000
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1774213084281

More From This Seller

View All
COSTA Rica Jade Avian Axe God Celt Pendant Pre Columbian, 500 Ad-1500 Ad
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine Costa Rican Jade Axe God, Guanacaste-Nicoya region, circa. A.D. 1-1500. Of a celt form depicting the mythical part human- part avian bird figure, with cir...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Figurative Sc...

Materials

Jade

Costa Rica Jade Avian Axe God Celt Pendant Pre Columbian, 500 AD-1500 AD
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine Costa Rican Jade Axe God, Guanacaste-Nicoya region, ca. A.D. 1-1500 Of celt form depicting the mythical part human- part avian figure, with circular eyes...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Animal Sculpt...

Materials

Jade

COSTA Rica Pre Columbian Jade Axe Avian Celt God Pendant
Located in Dallas, TX
Pre-Columbian Jade COSTA Rican Avian Effigy pendant Atlantic Watershed 500AD- 1500AD Measures: Length 9.75 inches Width 1.15 inches Depth .75 inch Very nice COSTA Rican jade (axe god...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Animal Sculpt...

Materials

Jade

Costa Rica Pre Columbian Jade Axe Avian Celt God Pendant
Located in Dallas, TX
Pre-Columbian Jade Costa Rican Avian Effigy pendant Atlantic Watershed 500AD- 1500AD Material: Jade Measures: Length 9 inches Width 1 inches Depth .4 inch. Exquisite Costa Rican jade (axe god...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Figurative Sc...

Materials

Jade

Pre Colombian Choker Necklace with Mother of Pearl and Beads
Located in Dallas, TX
Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 500 CE. A choker necklace comprised of seven strands strung with hundreds of black and white hand-carved shell beads. The strands...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Natural Specimens

Materials

Coral

Pre Colombian Tairona Carnelian Bead Bracelet
Located in Dallas, TX
Circa 1000 - 1500 CE Pre Colombian. Columbia, Tairona. Beads. A lovely bracelet of a wearable comprised or 17 seed form, tubular and ovoid beads carve...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Colombian Pre-Columbian Natural Specimens

Materials

Carnelian

You May Also Like

Ancient Costa Rican Guanacaste / Nicoya-Style Polychromed Terracotta Figural Scu
Located in Queens, NY
"Ancient / Pre-Columbian-style terracotta figure (possibly Costa Rican Guanacaste/Nicoya in style) with two side loops and a fish emerging from its chest, painted with polychromed pa...
Category

20th Century Unknown Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Published Pre-Columbian Nicoya Ceremonial Stone Seat, Ex Arizona Museum
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Nicoya Ceremonial Basalt Stone Seat in Shape of a Jaguar. Published in the Arizona Museum. This large and finely carved example of Costa Rican skill and craftsmanship is in the form of a jaguar which may have been a lineage or clan symbol - as also was the crocodile - according to 16th-century Spanish conquistadors. There are so many features that make this masterpiece so unique. The most realistic depiction is the face with its head captured in a pose that is threatening and fierce. Sculptors in ancient Central America developed elaborate metate forms that were associated with high status and wealth. They were commonly placed within graves of prominent individuals. Certain ancient rituals must have incorporated this activity and required special metates to be created for this purpose. It may have also served as a throne for the ruler, for whom the assurance of the fertility of his land and people would have been paramount. Even today, stone metates...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Pre-Columbian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Published Papagayo Polychromed Rattling Tripod Bowl, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Papagayo polychrome pottery bowl, Mandador variety. Round bottomed bowl rests on three animal headed rattle legs. Exterior painted wide band with two stylized plumed serpents of jagu...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Rare Antique Pre-Columbian Bronze Sculpture Worshiping Inti (God of Sun)
Located in Doha, QA
This is a very rare and extremely unusual figurative solid bronze handcrafted sculpture. The figure is most likely Inca-Mayan and worshiping Inti, also called Apu-punchau,-in Inca religion the sun of God. The work is incredibly detailed, starting with the man’s feet...
Category

Antique 18th Century Unknown Pre-Columbian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze

Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade Torches
Located in York County, PA
Rare pair of fireman’s axe parade torches, 1860-1880: Pair of fireman’s axe parade torches with traditional wooden axe handles and the heads made o...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Published Polychromed Rattling Tripod Bowl - Guanacaste, Costa Rica (600-900 AD)
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Birmania polychrome pottery tripod bowl having hollow rattle, zoomorphic head type feet. Interior painted decoration probably depicts a stylized alligator ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Recently Viewed

View All