Lot 201, Auction 3/19/2026: Costa Rican Greenstone Bird Amulet – Openwork Beak

$585.00

In stock

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, ca. 700 to 900 CE. A compact and beautifully abstracted bird amulet, carved in dense green stone with a quiet, ceremonial presence. The figure is rendered with tucked, striated wings, a subtly modeled body, and neatly delineated toes, giving the small form a surprising sense of weight and stability. Most distinctive is the long, curved beak, opened into an elegant openwork loop, functioning as both a dramatic profile and a practical suspension element. Pierced for wear, this amulet belongs to the long Costa Rican tradition of portable stone ornaments – objects that likely served as protective charms, status markers, or personal talismans, carried close to the body like a private guardian. Size: 1.4″ W x 2″ H (3.6 cm x 5.1 cm)

Condition: Area of chipping to upper left of one side, but, otherwise, intact, wearable, and in very good overall condition with impressive detail.

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.