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.
In addition to being rare and beautiful, jade is the
toughest and most durable of stones. Since
weapons and cutting tools of jade greatly excel
those of other stones, they became symbols of
authority and ceremony. In elaborate burials and
offerings, a high proportion of the surviving
objects are made of jade, seemingly an indication
that the material itself had assumed mystical
qualities. In Mesoamerica, the stones selected
by
ancient people were predominantly green,
although they may not have been jadeite or
nephrite. Here, we have before us a rare and
beautiful lapidary work of a ruler who has,
through transformation, become a monkey. By
adorning a monkey mask and tail and perhaps by
taking hallucinogenic drugs, the ruler transforms
himself into a monkey and becomes a channel
for the supernatural world to speak and act
through him. Through this transformational
process, the ruler is seen as a god; thus,
confirming his status as ruler and elevating his
earthly powers over the people and land to
supernatural powers, as well. This magnificent
work of art was used as a mace head that is
apparent by the circular indentation on the side.
The top of the monkey’s head may have held a
magical potion for transformational usages or
held a crown which has deteriorated. The ruler
may have kept this at his side at all times
reaffirming his supernatural powers and instilling
fear and awe in the people he ruled. The realistic
features of a monkey’s face combined with the
subtlety of the rounded shoulders and body
reveal the artist’s exemplary skills at lapidary
work. This is an unforgettable masterpiece that
reveals an era of Renaissance during the Ancient
Costa Rican past.
