What is Jade (Jadeite) in Mesoamerica?

Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank

Jade in Mesoamerica

Jadeite was a precious material in Mesoamerica among the Olmec, Maya, and others. Many cultures valued it more than gold. This video is an overview of jadeite in Mesoamerica, looking at objects such as Olmec masks and figurines at Dumbarton Oaks and the Templo Mayor Museum, and Pakal's death mask at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. It also considers jade vs. jadeite vs. nephrite, and focuses on objects such as masks and figurines.

Mask, Olmec, c. 900–300 BCE, jadeite, 8 1/8. x 7 x 4 1/4 in. (20.64 x 17.78 x 10.8 cm) 

Dumbarton Oaks Museum, Washington, D.C. Photo © Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank.

Video chapters

0:00 Green-colored stones in Mesoamerica

0:21 What is jadeite?

0:55 Olmec mask and Pakal's mask

1:43 Recarving or reusing precious objects

2:02 How to make a jadeite object

3:12 Why is it precious?

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Learn more

• Check out our entire glossary of art history.

• Learn more about Mesoamerica.

• Find more resources about the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica.