Cleveland Museum of Art

Celt-Shaped Pendant

Date

c. 300 BCE–600 CE

Medium

jadeite

Culture

Costa Rica, Southern Nicoya region

Department

Art of the Americas

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Costa Rican jade pendants may imitate the shape of axe blades (celts) used for agriculture. The pendants often take the form of "axe gods," creatures with human, bird, or animal traits. Jade carving was common in Costa Rica before ad 500, but then declined in importance. Gold eventually replaced jade as the region’s preferred luxury material.

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