Ancient Pre-Columbian 300 BC - 500 AD Mayan Jade Celt

Ancient Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Maya culture, 300 BC - 500 AD. Celt hand-carved and hand-polished from the near-black shade dark green hard stone, Jade with light green veining and a streaking surface. In a highly stylized ritual form with a flared, slightly convex sharp cutting edge.

A Celt is a common prehistoric tool of stone or metal, shaped like a chisel or ax head. This jade celt demonstrates the spectacular workmanship of Mayan lapidaries.

Jade was the most precious material to the Maya - more precious than gold. Not just the Mayans prized jade. Tribes before and after the Maya all revered and treasured jade , using it in the most sacred applications such as prestigious jewelry, burial masks and even burial armor suits. Jade also had a valuable application in weapons due to its toughness.

DIMENSIONS:

Length: 5.8 cm (2.28 inches).

Width in the widest point: 3.8 cm (1.5 inches).

Weight: 70 grams (2.47 ounces ).

CONDITION: Displaying signs of age and use, with russet-colored earthen encrustation.

Please refer to the photos, as they are part of the description.

Please note that the pictures were taken under studio lighting, so the stone appears much darker and less glittery in natural daylight.

PROVENANCE: Ex-old Canadian private collection.
The buyer will be provided with a certificate of authenticity.