{"product_id":"pj2120","title":"A Costa Rican Jade Owl Axe Pendant, Early Classic Period, ca. 5th – 12th century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003eJade pendants were revered as status symbols throughout the ancient Americas, from southern Mexico to the Northern Andes. Considered the ultimate \"Dream Stone,\" jade was thought to access the spiritual world, gain insight into ritualistic knowledge, encourage creativity, and help interpret dreams.  Most valued for its metaphysical properties, it was cherished as a protective talisman, assuring long life and peaceful death, and was considered a powerful healing stone.  The vibrant green variations are a symbol of growth and vitality, which makes it a stone that stands for wealth and longevity.  Shamans and other clan leaders wore pendants carved into symbolic animal forms to demonstrate prowess, illustrate the wearer’s clan, or identify a shaman’s alter ego, as well as other talismanic properties such as protection and good fortune. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwls, like jaguars, were important to shamans -- they symbolized many of the traits shamans possessed. Owls are creatures of the night, traveling and hunting in the dark. Shamans were also believed to \"travel\" to the Otherworld and fight spiritual battles during the night.  Additionally, owls were conduits to the Otherworld and were seen as helpers who would assist shamans to connect with the spirits and to utilize their power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fine example, carved from milky sage-green jade, is minimally depicted with two triangular tufts of the horned owl, two depressed round eyes, a downturned triangular beak, and a horizontal depression separates the owl from the blade.  Pierced horizontally for suspension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedium: \u003c\/strong\u003e Jade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003e  Height:  6 inches (15.24 cm) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Some hairline fractures throughout the body, and a tiny chip to the bottom edge.  Collection sticker with the number 5W on the back.  The pendant is presented on a custom mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/strong\u003e Mirtha Virginia de Perea (1929 - 2019) private collection of Costa Rican art.  Mrs. de Perea spent her entire 48-year career with the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, DC, achieving the rank of Cultural Minister-Counselor and Consul after having started as a secretary. She was a devoted patron of the arts, promoting numerous local artists and sponsoring many cultural events throughout her career. She also amassed an impressive collection of Latin American art. After retiring in 1999, she became a US citizen and continued her support of the arts through her membership in the Women’s Committee of the Washington National Opera and other local groups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sands of Time Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51326254776623,"sku":"PJ2120","price":904.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0234\/5339\/files\/PJ2120.jpg?v=1747166597","url":"https:\/\/sandsoftimedc.com\/en-gb\/products\/pj2120","provider":"Sands of Time Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}