Name: Fine Maya Jade Maize God Pectoral Pendant
Brand: Art for Eternity
SKU: 13782
Price: 7500.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Fine Maya Jade Maize God Pectoral Pendant - Art for Eternity

$7,500.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Late Classic, Ca. 600–900 AD

A finely carved blue-green jade (jadeite) figural pendant depicting a standing dignitary or deity, both hands brought to the chest, wearing an elaborate headdress and prominent ear spools. The face is rendered in crisp, low relief with well-defined eyes, nose, and mouth, set within the natural celt-form of the polished stone. A perforation is drilled through the head for suspension, confirming its use as a pectoral worn on the chest. The reverse retains the unworked, water-smoothed cobble surface typical of jade sourced from the Motagua River Valley of Guatemala.

For the Maya, blue-green jade was the most precious of materials, its color symbolizing maize, agricultural fertility, sacred water, and breath/life itself. Pectoral pendants of this type depicted rulers wearing the regalia of supernatural beings — most often the Maize God, the embodiment of renewal and royal legitimacy — and were worn by 7th–8th-century kings and queens as emblems of divine authority. Comparable Late Classic jade pectorals are documented at Tikal (Burial 196) and Salitrón Viejo, and held in the Metropolitan Museum and Denver Art Museum.

The "hands-to-chest" posture and abundant jade ornament directly echo Classic depictions of the Maize God, who is conventionally shown adorned with jade beads, pendants, and diadems. The celt-shaped format reflects the practice of recarving polished axe-form blanks (themselves charged with agricultural and lightning symbolism) into figural ornaments.

Condition: Intact, excellent condition; surface deposits in the recesses; suspension perforation through the head.

Size: 3-3/8 in. H × 1-5/8 in. W (8.6 cm × 4.1 cm), excluding mount; on custom display mount.

Provenance: Private collection of a Florida physician.

All pieces are unconditionally guaranteed authentic and as described in perpetuity and have been legally acquired and imported in full accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations regarding the movement and sale of antiquities.

A signed guarantee of authenticity with a description and photograph of the item(s) accompanies this object.

We ship Tuesday to Friday with UPS or USPS and usually same day if your order is received before 2pm. Depending on size and destination, delivery times range from one to five business days.

For overseas shipments our shipping charge includes packing, preparation of all customs paperwork, insurance and carrier fees in compliance with all USA and International customs requirements.

Overseas shipments are usually sent by courier but contact us if you have a shipping preference. International customers are responsible for all duties and taxes.

Fine Maya Jade Maize God Pectoral Pendant

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Fine Maya Jade Maize God Pectoral Pendant