BALLENA/ BLUE WHALE - JADE-JADEITE sculpture
by JULIO MARTÍNEZ BARNETCHE
MATERIAL: Jade-Jadeite, direct carving
SIZE: 26 x 15 x 18 cm // 10.23” x 5.9” x 7.08” ins
BALLENA [Blue Whale / Grey Whale] is from the series by the artist called ‘MARES PETRÉOS’, which means something like ‘petrified seas or oceans’. All pieces are directly carved in Jadeite, the more valuable form of Jade. The carving of Jade is extremely difficult, as it is one of the hardest stones to carve.
Jadeite from the Montagua Valley in Guatemala was used by the Olmecs and Mayas. The most highly valued colors of jadeite are the intensely green, translucent species, though traditionally white has been considered the most valuable of the jades by the Chinese already. Other colors, like "Olmec blue" jade, is deep blue-green and has a translucent hue with white flecking.