Mesoamerican jewelry: jade, gold and feathers

In Mesoamerica, the region from central Mexico to Central America, the most treasured materials were green jade, quetzal feathers and shell. Gold arrived later and never displaced the greens of jade.

Who and where #

The Olmec, Maya, Mixtec and Mexica (Aztec) created jewelry with religious and political meanings. An important source of jadeite was the Motagua Valley in Guatemala.

Materials and techniques #

• Jadeite, carved with abrasives such as sand and cords, without metal tools.
• Obsidian, shell (spondylus), turquoise and rock crystal.
• Feathers, especially quetzal, for headdresses.
• Gold and copper: metallurgy reached Mesoamerica later than jade carving, and the Mixtecs were masters of lost-wax casting.

Traditional pieces and their meaning #

• Jade masks and necklaces: jade was associated with water, maize and life; the funerary mask of the Maya king K'inich Janaab' Pakal of Palenque (7th century) is among the best known.
• Ear spools: ear ornaments of jade, shell or gold, a sign of rank.
• Feather headdresses: symbols of power and of the sacred.
• Mixtec gold ornaments: pectorals, rings and pendants of great detail.

The tradition today #

For the Mexica, green stones (chalchihuitl) were worth more than gold. Today artisans in Mexico and Guatemala still carve jade and recreate these motifs, and archaeological pieces are protected heritage.

See also #

• Gold
• Lost-wax casting
• Glass and crystal
• Symbols in traditional jewelry and their meaning