A Black Jade Figural Pendant Costa Rica, c. 300 – 700 AD A full standing figure in dark gray and black jade with an astonishing mirror-like surface. Unusual feature of cuffs at ankles with animal heads each side. Also unique are subtly raised lozenges indicating breasts (could be male or female) at the chest. The hands held to abdomen, addorsed bird heads at top of crown. Grooves depict toes, fingers, arms, nose and eyebrows and thicker grooves indicate open mouth and eyes. String sawed to separate legs, pierced through neck for suspension, a break line down back. In excellent condition. Provenance: Private collection, Atlanta, GA Enrique Vargas Alfaro, 1960s. Mr. Alfaro was the source of highest quality Pre-Columbian art sold to prestigious collections such as Andre Emmerich, Morton D. May, Frederick and Jan Mayer, and William C. and Carol W. Thibodeaux. Artworks listing him as provenance appear in the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, The Denver Art Museum, and the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Enrique was the grandson of Anastasio Alfaro (1865-1951), archaeologist, geologist, ethnographer, explorer and writer -- an important personality in the cultural development of Costa Rica. He was a member of the board at the National Museum of Costa Rica and author of Antigüedades en Costa Rica (1892). Height: 5 inches HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved