Olmecoid Jade Double-Sided Celt Pendant Depicting a Bat and a Figure - CK.0152, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high x 2.875"  More »

Olmecoid Jade Double-Sided Celt Pendant Depicting a Bat and a Figure - CK.0152, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high x 2.875" (7.3cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Jade. The Olmecs are generally considered to be the ultimate ancestor of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Thriving between about 1200 and 400 BC, their base was the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico, an area characterized by swamps punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. Here the Olmecs practiced advanced farming techniques and constructed permanent settlements, including San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, La Venta, Tres Zapotes, Laguna de los Cerros, and La Mojarra. However, the consolidation of their city-states led to notable cultural influence far beyond their heartland, and throughout the Mesoamerican region. This was confirmed in 2005 with the use of NAA (Neutron Activation Analysis) and petrography to demonstrate the spread of Olmec ceramic vessels. It would appear that the Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in other (predominantly highland) groups, with evidence for exchange of artifacts in both directions. A non-literate group, the Olmecs nevertheless paved the way for the development of writing systems in the loosely defined Epi- Olmec period (c. 500 BC). Further innovations include arguably the first use of the zero, so instrumental in the Maya long count vigesimal calendrical system. They also appear to have been the originators of the famous Mesoamerican ballgame so prevalent among later cultures in the region, and either retained or invented several religious symbols such as the feathered serpent and the rain spirit, which persisted in subsequent and related cultures until the middle ages.   « Less

Olmec Jade Mask Pendant - CK.0274, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec,  More »

Olmec Jade Mask Pendant - CK.0274, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Diquis Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing an Avian Mask - FJ.6250, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Diquis Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing an Avian Mask - FJ.6250, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Diquis, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Olmec Jade Ceremonial Implement - CK.0576,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 1200 BC to 600 BC,Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high x 1.25" (3.2cm) wide x 7.75" (19.7cm) depth,Collection:  More »

Olmec Jade Ceremonial Implement - CK.0576,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 1200 BC to 600 BC,Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high x 1.25" (3.2cm) wide x 7.75" (19.7cm) depth,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Olmec,Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jade Tray - CK.0632, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 1.125" (2.9cm) high x 8.75" (22.2cm) wide x 2.125" (5.4cm) depth, Collection:  More »

Olmec Jade Tray - CK.0632, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 1.125" (2.9cm) high x 8.75" (22.2cm) wide x 2.125" (5.4cm) depth, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The Olmecs are generally considered to be the ultimate ancestor of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Thriving between about 1200 and 400 BC, their base was the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico, an area characterized by swamps punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. Here the Olmecs practiced advanced farming techniques and constructed permanent settlements, including San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, La Venta, Tres Zapotes, Laguna de los Cerros, and La Mojarra. However, the consolidation of their city-states led to notable cultural influence far beyond their heartland, and throughout the Mesoamerican region. This was confirmed in 2005 with the use of NAA (Neutron Activation Analysis) and petrography to demonstrate the spread of Olmec ceramic vessels. It would appear that the Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in other (predominantly highland) groups, with evidence for exchange of artifacts in both directions. A non-literate group, the Olmecs nevertheless paved the way for the development of writing systems in the loosely defined Epi- Olmec period (c. 500 BC). Further innovations include arguably the first use of the zero, so instrumental in the Maya long count vigesimal calendrical system. They also appear to have been the originators of the famous Mesoamerican ballgame so prevalent among later cultures in the region, and either retained or invented several religious symbols such as the feathered serpent and the rain spirit, which persisted in subsequent and related cultures until the middle ages.   « Less

Olmec Jade Pendant Depicting a Face - CK.0633, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 4.125" (10.5cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Olmec Jade Pendant Depicting a Face - CK.0633, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 4.125" (10.5cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The Olmecs are generally considered to be the ultimate ancestor of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Thriving between about 1200 and 400 BC, their base was the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico, an area characterized by swamps punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. Here the Olmecs practiced advanced farming techniques and constructed permanent settlements, including San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, La Venta, Tres Zapotes, Laguna de los Cerros, and La Mojarra. However, the consolidation of their city-states led to notable cultural influence far beyond their heartland, and throughout the Mesoamerican region. This was confirmed in 2005 with the use of NAA (Neutron Activation Analysis) and petrography to demonstrate the spread of Olmec ceramic vessels. It would appear that the Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in other (predominantly highland) groups, with evidence for exchange of artifacts in both directions. A non-literate group, the Olmecs nevertheless paved the way for the development of writing systems in the loosely defined Epi- Olmec period (c. 500 BC). Further innovations include arguably the first use of the zero, so instrumental in the Maya long count vigesimal calendrical system. They also appear to have been the originators of the famous Mesoamerican ballgame so prevalent among later cultures in the region, and either retained or invented several religious symbols such as the feathered serpent and the rain spirit, which persisted in subsequent and related cultures until the middle ages.   « Less

Olmec Jade Avian Pectoral - CK.0694, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmec Jade Avian Pectoral - CK.0694, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jade Maskette Pectoral - CK.0738, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4.625" (11.7cm) high x 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmec Jade Maskette Pectoral - CK.0738, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4.625" (11.7cm) high x 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The Olmecs are generally considered to be the ultimate ancestor of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilisations. Thriving between about 1200 and 400 BC, their base was the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico, an area characterized by swamps punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. Here the Olmecs practiced advanced farming techniques and constructed many permanent settlements. Their influence, both cultural and political, extended far beyond their boundaries; the exotic nature of Olmec designs became synonymous with elite status in other (predominantly highland) groups, with evidence for exchange of artefacts in both directions. Other than their art (see below), they are credited with the foundations of writing systems (the loosely defined Epi-Olmec period, c. 500 BC), the first use of the zero – so instrumental in the Maya long count vigesimal calendrical system – and they also appear to have been the originators of the famous Mesoamerican ballgame so prevalent among later cultures in the region.   « Less

Olmec Jade Arm - CK.0747, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 12.375" (31.4cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec,  More »

Olmec Jade Arm - CK.0747, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 12.375" (31.4cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The Olmecs are generally considered to be the ultimate ancestor of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilisations. Thriving between about 1200 and 400 BC, their base was the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico, an area characterized by swamps punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. Here the Olmecs practiced advanced farming techniques and constructed many permanent settlements. Their influence, both cultural and political, extended far beyond their boundaries; the exotic nature of Olmec designs became synonymous with elite status in other (predominantly highland) groups, with evidence for exchange of artefacts in both directions. Other than their art (see below), they are credited with the foundations of writing systems (the loosely defined Epi-Olmec period, c. 500 BC), the first use of the zero – so instrumental in the Maya long count vigesimal calendrical system – and they also appear to have been the originators of the famous Mesoamerican ballgame so prevalent among later cultures in the region.   « Less

Olmec Jade Standing Figure - CK.0761, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmec Jade Standing Figure - CK.0761, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The Olmecs are generally considered to be the ultimate ancestor of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Thriving between about 1200 and 400 BC, their base was the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico, an area characterized by swamps punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. Here the Olmecs practiced advanced farming techniques and constructed permanent settlements, including San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, La Venta, Tres Zapotes, Laguna de los Cerros, and La Mojarra. However, the consolidation of their city- states led to notable cultural influence far beyond their heartland, and throughout the Mesoamerican region. This was confirmed in 2005 with the use of NAA (Neutron Activation Analysis) and petrography to demonstrate the spread of Olmec ceramic vessels. It would appear that the Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in other (predominantly highland) groups, with evidence for exchange of artifacts in both directions. A non- literate group, the Olmecs nevertheless paved the way for the development of writing systems in the loosely defined Epi- Olmec period (c. 500 BC). Further innovations include arguably the first use of the zero, so instrumental in the Maya long count vigesimal calendrical system. They also appear to have been the originators of the famous Mesoamerican ballgame so prevalent among later cultures in the region, and either retained or invented several religious symbols such as the feathered serpent and the rain spirit, which persisted in subsequent and related cultures until the middle ages.   « Less