In the context of Pre-Columbian art and
archaeology, jade is a generic term that refers to
any variety of hard, dense stones that were
worked with great skill by native artists. Although
jade is generally thought to be green, it can
actually be a range of colors. Jade carving
flourished in ancient Costa Rica for over a
thousand years, roughly from 500 B.C. to 900
A.D., although the period of greatest artistic
accomplishment lasted from 300 to 700 A.D. It is
believed that jade working began during an
extended period of agricultural abundance that
allowed the ancient society to dedicate part of its
energies toward the cultivation of artistic
pursuits.
Jade was considered to be a sacred material by
the ancient populations of Costa Rica, held in
even higher esteem than gold. Generally, it was
thought to symbolize that vital life force that
sustains us all. The color green is naturally
associated with verdant plant life. Specifically,
jade was thought to symbolize the sprouting
maize plant, that staple of the Pre-Columbian
diet. It has also been suggested that jade
represents water. Either way, we can be certain
that jade represented the very essence of life
itself.
To date, no native sources of jade have been
discovered in Costa Rica, suggesting an extended
trade network existed that imported this precious
resource from Mesoamerica into Costa Rica
where it was carved by local artists. Such trade
also would have brought great wealth and likely
reinforced the social stratification of the peoples.
Jade may have served as a status marker to
distinguish the elite from the masses and solidify
their hold on power. We can picture an ancient
ruler or shaman presiding over a sacred
ceremonial adorned in brilliant green jade
pendants and jewelry. The ancient Costa Ricans
believe that the system of social hierarchy also
extended into the afterlife. Therefore, jade
objects were buried with the elite so that their
power could be maintained throughout eternity.
Here, we have before us an exemplary
work of unprecedented skill and design. The
artist's mastery of lapidary work is clearly
demonstrated by the perfect control and
symmetry of each stroke. When you hold it in
your hands, you can feel the artist's undivided
attention and care in each of the smooth crevices
along the surface. The frog symbolizes fertility
and rain which enables birth, growth and the
continuity of life, itself. This important and
obviously worshiped symbol is depicted so
creatively by the artist. The frogs appear to
follow each other from one imaginary infinite
point to another creating the illusion of eternity
and symbolizing the continuity of life. There are
two holes drilled on either side of the pendant to
be worn by a special ruler during a fertility
ceremony or ritual in honor of the rains. The
lush green color of the stone and the artist's
exemplary talent combined with the symbolism
of the frog creates a masterpiece unsurpassed by
its contemporaries.
