Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!
Get listed nowBy subscribing, you are agreeing to the privacy policy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Jewelry & Gems / Costa Rican Stone Caiman Pendant Necklace w/ Roman Bead
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, ca. 500 BCE to 800 CE; Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A Costa Rican greenstone caiman pendant is presented here strung with Costa Rican greenstone beads and a single Roman glass discoid bead, assembled on a modern strand with gold-colored plastic spacer beads and a magnetic clasp for wearability. The pendant is carved from greenstone in the form of a stylized caiman, depicted with a flattened body, articulated limbs, and a ridged dorsal spine that emphasizes its reptilian form. The head is slightly raised, with a perforation at the snout for suspension, a placement commonly associated with pendant zemis and amuletic figures from Costa Rica. In Pre-Columbian Central American belief systems, the caiman was a powerful symbol connected to water, fertility, and the earth itself, often understood as a creature that moved between worlds and embodied both creation and danger. Size of pendant: 2.75" L x 1.1" W (7 cm x 2.8 cm); of strand: 17.5" L (44.4 cm) The necklace incorporates a group of irregularly shaped Costa Rican greenstone beads, varying in size and form, likely once components of earlier bead strands or personal ornaments. Their surfaces show natural weathering and tonal variation ranging from pale green to deeper mottled hues, consistent with ancient jade and jadeite-working traditions in the region. A single Roman glass discoid bead, translucent and softly worn, introduces an unexpected cross-cultural element, its inclusion reflecting the modern assembly rather than an ancient association. The beads are strung on a modern cord with gold-colored plastic spacer beads and finished with a magnetic clasp, allowing the piece to be worn while clearly distinguishing ancient components from contemporary additions. This presentation balances preservation with usability, offering a visually compelling arrangement that highlights the sculptural quality and symbolic weight of the ancient elements without obscuring their archaeological identity. As a composite piece, the necklace brings together objects separated by geography and time, unified through modern curation. It serves both as a wearable display and as a study in ancient material culture, where greenstone carried spiritual meaning, visual authority, and enduring appeal. Item # 200250
Estimate:$350
To the auctionView all items fromArtemis Fine ArtsorJewelry & Gems
Estimate:
$350
Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!
Get listed now
