Chisel
Unknown Artist
Medium
Jadeite
Dimensions
H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm); W. 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm); Th. 11/16 in. (1.7 cm)
Classification
Jade
Culture
Guatemala
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.224
Art Historical Context
This petite jadeite chisel, measuring just over 2 inches tall, exemplifies the masterful craftsmanship of ancient Guatemalan cultures, likely from Pre-Columbianamerica. Carved from vibrant green jadeite—a rare, durable stone prized for its lustrous translucency and symbolic ties to water, fertility, and elite status—the tool's compact form (H. 2 3/8 in.; W. 1 1/16 in.; Th. 11/16 in.) it served both practical and ceremonial purposes. Artisans employed precise grinding and polishing techniques to shape the hard material, highlighting advanced lapidary skills honed over centuries. In Guatemalan ...