Central Pacific Jade Tubular Pendant

When viewed from the front, this jade pendant has an appearance similar to the jade figure-- celts often worn as pendants by ancient inhabitants of the area. However, this piece is not a solid shape like the axe--gods, but has been fashioned into a variation of the hollow tube jade beads found in Costa Rica. These beads exemplified the advanced lapidary skills of the people, and were made by drilling through each side to the center of the stone. The delicate detailing of his fingers, ears and facial features, evidences the great skill employed in the making of this pendant. The object which the crouching figure holds in his hands may have had some religious significance, possibly an ear of corn representing fertility, an instrument, or an object intended for ritual use