jade jaguar

Wearing the skin of a jaguar, a young man dances to the sound of an unseen drum as he imitates the movements of the lithe jungle cat. Ruben and Gilda Perez depicts an image from a vase discovered at Altar de Sacrificios, an ancient Maya site locate upriver from Yaxchilan. An offering in Burial 96, the original polychrome vase is crafted of terracotta and on display at Guatemala's Museum of Anthropology and History.

The Guatemalan artisans etch the intricate motifs into natural jade and display the plaque on a black pinewood base.

By Pablo Castellanos, these stunning earrings evoke the full moon in jaguar jade. The design is thoroughly contemporary and created with shining silver. "I'd like to see young people wearing this gemstone," the designer confides. Jaguar jade is dark green with black flecks, and was used in good luck amulets by the ancient Maya.

.925 Sterling silver

Relative of the mystic jaguar, a cat embraces a sacred green gem. Known as ya’ax chich, Guatemalan jade has been prized since pre-Hispanic times. It finds the perfect complement in a sterling silver necklace by Zandra Lorena Sajbin.

.925 Sterling silver

Ancient Maya craftspeople were masters at the delicate art of relief sculptures in stucco. Ruben and Gilda Perez utilize the material to create a beautiful mask with jade inlay. Faithfully reproducing an archaeological piece from Palenque, they depict the ruler Pacal, whose name means "Shield Jaguar." The king is buried beneath the Temple of the Inscriptions, and this jade mask is a part of the many offerings found there. The Guatemalan artisans present the mask on a brass and pinewood display stand, and it can also be displayed on the wall.

Ancient Maya craftspeople were masters at the delicate art of relief sculptures in stucco. Ruben and Gilda Perez utilize the material to create a beautiful mask with jade inlay. Faithfully reproducing an archaeological piece from Palenque, they depict the sun god, an image buried in the tomb of Pacal, or "Shield Jaguar." The king is interred beneath the Temple of the Inscriptions, and this jade mask is a one of the many offerings found there. The Guatemalan artisans present the mask on a brass and pinewood display stand, and it can also be displayed on the wall.

Representing the heart of the world, the female reproductive system, the Mayan glyph for the jaguar, I'x, is etched by hand into a medallion of dark green Guatemalan jade. Zandra Lorena Sajbin designs this stunning pendant necklace, inspired by the beauty of jade and the significance of pre-Hispanic glyphs. The pendant centers a length of adjustable cotton cord, and features the Nahual name "I'x" inscribed on the reverse side.