Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste, Nicoya Region, ca. 500BCE-500 CE. This rare bat form is finely carved from a rich, mottled deep green and white stone. Nocturnal bats - the only winged mammals that fly - were believed to be as ominous as owls among Pre-Columbian cultures. Swooping and darting in the night sky, the ancients of the Americas linked these creatures to both the underworld and sexual potency, the sexual connotations in turn associated with rain and fertility. This example features an intricately carved face with great detail and symmetrically balanced open wings. Perforations for suspension Size: 3.875" W x 1.625" H (9.8 cm x 4.1 cm)
The process used by ancient stone carvers is fascinating. Upon finding a suitable stone - in the region of Costa Rica jade was the preferred stone, but any hard green or white translucent stone was acceptable - the carver would painstakingly create the details on the top using string coated with sand and sawing the various lines and cuts. Hollow drills were used to cut eyes and suspension holes, with holes drilled from each side. Once the features were completed on the "face" a string was used to cut the object off the stone cutting from each direction until the pendant was able to be snapped away from the base stone. That is why one often finds the ridge-line along the back of Pre-Columbian jade and hardstone carvings. The object would then be meticulously polished using cloth and sand.
Provenance: private British Columbia, Canada collection, gifted from aunt in Tucson, Arizona, USA, acquired prior to 1994
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#182709
Condition
Intact and excellent. Surface deposits in eyes and along back ridge-line.