Macehead in shape of skull

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This macehead of pale, mottled jade depicts a trophy human head, its skin probably flayed off to look like a skull. It is a high-status object, a ceremonial symbol of power - typically found in chiefly graves. Jade was a precious, sacred material.

The macehead is carved from a block of pale jade, and it would have been mounted on a wooden shaft for display. The features are human, but only partly recognisable, with stylised eyes, mouth and ears.

The taking of trophy heads during warfare, and the ritual decapitation of sacrificial victims, were practised in Costa Rica from the first few centuries AD until the Spanish Conquest in the 1500s.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-800-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1958.242
• Date: Probably 1-500 AD
  
• Material: Sceptre head
  
• Dimensions: 3.00" L
  
• What: Sceptre head
  
• Subject: Miscellaneous
  
• Who:
• Where: Central America, Costa Rica, Guanacaste, Lago de Arenal, Tierras More
  
• Event:
• Description: Sceptre head made of polished grey and white mottled jadeite, in the form of a stylised human head: South America, from Costa Rica, Pre-Columbian
  
• References:
  • Abel-Vidor, S. et al. Between Continents/Between Seas: Precolumbian Art of Costa Rica. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 1981. 
  • Easby, E.K. Pre-Columbian Jade from Costa Rica. New York: Andre Emmerich Inc, 1968. 
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