Accession Number

1986.008.0027

Description

An elongated jade “blade” from the wreck of the galleon Atocha is from Central America (i.e., Costa Rica or Guatemala). It originated from a pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican jade celt tradition, though two small holes drilled along one edge of the flat, polished stone suggest it was once suspended as a pendant. One end of the blade is chipped or eroded. This piece is undoubtedly of Native American manufacture and dates to before the Spanish conquest. It was quite old when the 1622 ships sailed. Why it was on Atocha is not clear other than it appears to be an early example of a Spanish desire for Native American antiquities, perhaps even those taken from excavation or grave plunder.

Exhibition Label

Case Caption (2023): N/A
Object Caption (2023):

Part of a Nose Ornament
Jadeite (before 1620)
Gift of Jamestown Inc.
1986.008.0027

Men wore nose ornaments, often of great size. These covered the wearer's mouth, meant to give him a supernatural or mysterious appearance. Dangling elements, such as this enormous bead, moved with the divine breath of the wearer.