AGUJA, meaning Clock-Hand, 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.
AGUJA - CLOCK HAND
- JADE SCULPTURE
by Julio Martinéz Barnetche, Mexico 2012
MATERIAL: Jade Jadeite, direct carving
SIZE: 23 x 17 x 21 cm // 9.05 x 6.7 x 8.27 in
Unique Piece
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.
Martínez Barnetche is a prolific Mexican designer and sculptor of precious and semi-precious stones, wood and metals, working between sculpture, furniture and objects. His work has an overwhelming strength and is developed with a masterly approach to the use of materials and techniques. He often takes his raw materials as he encounters them naturally and works with what he has in place, leaving space for the existing, especially in the case of stones and wood.