Ceremonial axe (celt)

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Ceremonial axe (celt)

Place of OriginMexico, Veracruz

Date10th-4th century BCE

DimensionsL: 6 in.

MediumJadeite (mottled gray-green-brown, highly polished)

ClassificationUtilitarian Objects

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number

1948.55

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Label TextThe deep, dark green jadeite was believed to be an auspicious material in Mesoamerican cultures, including Olmec. Since the color is similar to the hue of a deep lake or river, ancient Mesoamericans believed this shade symbolized the fecundity of their agricultural fields or the prosperity of their daily lives. The elongated petaloid object is considered a celt or axe, carefully polished and rounded. The intense smoothness of the celt epitomizes the extraordinary stonework developed in the Olmec period. These smooth corners could help a person who held this celt during a ceremony. In general, a celt was created for utilitarian purposes, but this jadeite was probably used only for ceremonial or ritual purposes due to the rarity and significant symbolism of this material. Most of these celt have been excavated from burial sites. Because of the symbolism concerning axes, it could also have been used as a burial offering.