Provenance: Ex. Hanulik collection, Switzerland. Acquired 1970's - extremely fine - - nice polished - Nicoya - Guanacaste, Costa Rica · c. 600 - 900 AD Green stone, Nephrite 10,8 cm height. PROVENANCE: - Private collection, Hanulik, Switzerland. Acquired 1970s. - Private collection, New York, acquierd in the art market. Condition: Very Good, beautiful stone quality. Documents: With Spanish Export license. The bird-shaped jade knives associated with the Nicoya culture of Costa Rica are pre-Columbian artifacts that reflect a deep spiritual, symbolic and functional connection of indigenous societies with this precious material. The Nicoya culture developed in the Greater Nicoya area, which encompasses parts of northwestern Costa Rica and southeastern Nicaragua. These artifacts date from the pre-Columbian period, mainly from 500-800 A.D. during the Middle or Classic period of Mesoamerica, although jade work dates back even earlier. Jade objects (mainly jadeite and nephrite) were skillfully carved and polished. Jade was imported from sources in Mesoamerica, particularly from the Motagua River valley in Guatemala, as it is not found naturally in Costa Rica. Shape and Design: Jade knives often took stylized bird shapes, which were symbols of connection between the terrestrial and celestial worlds. Birds were considered spiritual messengers, related to flight and communication with gods or ancestors. Knives often featured a combination of functionality and symbolism, with decorative blades and carved handles. Symbolic Meaning: Birds represented divine messages, fertility or celestial power. Jade, because of its hardness and color associated with life and water, was a material linked to the sacred, fertility and political power. Knives could have been used in religious rituals, ceremonial sacrifices or as status objects for the elite. Technique of Elaboration: Hand carving using rudimentary tools of stone, sand and water. The detailed and polished designs involved a laborious process that highlighted the artistic skill of the artisans. Uses: Ceremonial: Probably used in rituals to pay tribute to the gods or for sacrifices. Status Symbolism: Possessing jade was a symbol of power and divine connection, exclusive to chiefs or priests. Exchange and Trade: Jade objects could also be part of exchange networks between Mesoamerican cultures and those of the Nicoya region. Legacy: Today, bird-shaped jade knives are valuable pieces in archaeological museums, such as the National Museum of Costa Rica. They represent not only the technical skill of the ancient inhabitants of Nicoya, but also their cosmovision and their relationship with nature and the divine. These artifacts stand out as a testimony to Costa Rica's rich cultural heritage and its connection to the Mesoamerican world.