Maya Jadeite Bird Pendant (Central Region, 300–700 CE)

Arts of Significance 500 AD Ancient 🇬🇹 Guatemala 122 views

A carved jadeite bird pendant from the Maya Classic period, 300–700 CE — among the most precious objects in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, where jade surpassed gold in value and sacred significance.

Jade: The Sacred Stone of the MayaFor the ancient Maya, jade (jadeite specifically — the harder, rarer variety) was the most precious substance on earth, surpassing gold in value and sacred significance. The colour of jade — varying from apple green to blue-green — was the colour of water, maize, ro...

Subscribe to Read More

This exhibit contains full historical analysis, image galleries, and multimedia archives accessible to members only.

View Membership Plans

Already a member? Log in

LOCATION — 🇬🇹 Guatemala

Open World Map →

Related Exhibits

Arts of Significance

Faience Ushabti of the Late Period (Egypt)

A finely cast blue faience ushabti from the Egyptian Late Period (664–332 BCE), inscribed with Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead to serve the deceased in the fields of Osiris. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

🇪🇬 Egypt

600 BC

Arts of Significance

Benin Kingdom Brass Plaque: Warrior and Attendants

A cast brass plaque from the royal court of the Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria, depicting a senior warrior flanked by attendants in full ceremonial regalia. Produced by Benin palace guilds using the lost-wax technique, 16th–17th century.

🇳🇬 Nigeria

1600 AD

Arts of Significance

Amhara Processional Cross (Qäqwami Mäsqäl)

A large Ethiopian bronze processional cross (qäqwami mäsqäl) from the Amhara or Tigrinya tradition, 15th–16th century, used in the liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church — among the most distinctive sacred objects of African Christianity.

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

1480 AD

Arts of Significance

Tang Dynasty Earthenware Horse with Sancai Glaze

A magnificent earthenware horse with three-colour (sancai) lead glaze from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), representing the Silk Road culture of cosmopolitan Tang China. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

🇨🇳 China

700 AD