Pendant
Artist/Maker
Maya (archaeological culture)
(Mesoamerica)
Dateca. 600-900
Mediumjade
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 x 5/8 in. (3.5 x 3.2 x 1.6 cm)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of The Institute of Maya Studies
Terms
Object number80.0072
DescriptionNatural jade deposits were not commonly found in Mesoamerica. A few deposits are known to exist in the highlands of Guatemala and in the mountains from riverbeds. Mineralogists classify it as a true jadeite with variations in color from light blue-green to dark green and including shades of white to grey. The material proved very difficult to work with rudimentary tools of wood and stone and resulting designs were relatively simple. Many of the design elements were created with shallow string cuts and hollow drills which had to be replaced frequently. Grinding and polishing with abrasives were also key methods of working the jade into the types of pendants seen on these pages.On View
Not on viewCollections