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MAYA JADE PENDANT WITH PEARL
Culture: Maya Civilization (pendant) / Contemporary assemblage
Date: Jade carving, Classical Period (c. 250–900 CE); pearl and leather cord, contemporary
Materials: Maya green jadeite, Tahitian black pearl, leather cord
Dimensions: 6 × 1 cm
Collection: Private Collection
Description:
Pendant bringing together the ancient artistry of the Maya civilization with modern design sensibilities. The central element is a finely shaped green jadeite pendant—likely originating from Mesoamerica and once revered by the Maya as a sacred material associated with life, fertility, and power. Its vertical form evokes ceremonial celts or ritual tools, which were often buried as offerings or worn by elites.
Suspended on a contemporary leather cord, the jade pendant is paired with a single Tahitian black pearl, creating a striking juxtaposition of ancient and modern, raw and refined. While the jade carries the spiritual and social gravitas of its Maya origins, the pearl contributes a sense of contemporary elegance and global connectivity.
This hybrid piece serves as a powerful example of how ancient materials and symbols can be reimagined in contemporary contexts, maintaining their cultural weight while acquiring new layers of meaning across time and space.
Culture: Maya Civilization (pendant) / Contemporary assemblage
Date: Jade carving, Classical Period (c. 250–900 CE); pearl and leather cord, contemporary
Materials: Maya green jadeite, Tahitian black pearl, leather cord
Dimensions: 6 × 1 cm
Collection: Private Collection
Description:
Pendant bringing together the ancient artistry of the Maya civilization with modern design sensibilities. The central element is a finely shaped green jadeite pendant—likely originating from Mesoamerica and once revered by the Maya as a sacred material associated with life, fertility, and power. Its vertical form evokes ceremonial celts or ritual tools, which were often buried as offerings or worn by elites.
Suspended on a contemporary leather cord, the jade pendant is paired with a single Tahitian black pearl, creating a striking juxtaposition of ancient and modern, raw and refined. While the jade carries the spiritual and social gravitas of its Maya origins, the pearl contributes a sense of contemporary elegance and global connectivity.
This hybrid piece serves as a powerful example of how ancient materials and symbols can be reimagined in contemporary contexts, maintaining their cultural weight while acquiring new layers of meaning across time and space.
