Chinese Marriage Necklace-Nephrite Jade, Red Coral, Mother-of-Pearl-Circa 1870-1910

We have been unable to find records of a similar piece in auction catalogues, museum records, or listed in our www market place.

We have surmised, as have the authorities we consulted, that the nuptial ceremony depicted in the centerpiece's design, reflects an affluent yet provincial family, possibly a couple with an existing romantic connection, not just a marriage for political or social purposes, as was commonly practiced.

The strikingly sweet & touching primary centerpiece, consists of a three silver adornments (exact silver purity unknown) & two natural unpolished nephrite jade hearts, beneath the couple, who stand underneath a Tree of Life, branches arching over-head & falling beside them.

Each partner holds a blossoming peony, while a large pot of gold sits at their feet & the good-fortune character is centered aside their heads. The reverse side of the centerpiece shows additional elaborations in silver-type work, which cary around the frontal motifs with continued detail.

The enamored couple stand side-by-side, separated by a Tree of Life, Pot of Gold, & symbol of Good Fortune. Beneath them is an undivided width of churning waves. Hanging independently from the swirling waves, are three charms, which are attached with separate bales. The peach with large leaf, & are flanked by two identical, primitively shaped & finished nephrite jade hearts. These matching hearts were fashioned from a hard, green jade (1.3 cm x .8 cm x .4 cm), & as with the other symbols, hang on an equal plane, each side-by-side.

The modest & lovely length of beads, is punctuated by two addition decorations of ripe a fruit, attached at the ends of silver type material chains, that were constructed along the alternating colored beaded, fixed to the finely hand-made chain, with a simple clasps, using silk to string the beaded presentation with the chain-links & hanging plaque atop to three falling ornaments.

The bead & chain lengths were finely crafter using a personal approach to single bead's design. The hand crafted & drilled beads have a natural shape, as asymmetrical forms, with contrasting colors, using 23 alternating red coral beads on each side (5 mm x 3 mm), situated between similarly shaped, sized, & numbered Mother-of-Pearl beads in between, held with a strong silk thread.

Just 2.4 cm up from the centerpiece, hangs as a small set of heart shaped ornaments, having used natural cut jade beads, as each sides spacers.

As the green stones subtly mark the separate, two matching ornamented lengths, with these polished & naturally shaped jade beads (8 mm x 6 mm), & become readily recognized. The cut & tumbled jades are slightly larger, a shinny deep green, & from them, hang two separate, matching sections, with another 5 cm length of chain, each reflecting heart shaped ripe peaches, that hang along the side the main length. The side pieces share dangling ornaments on an identical elevation reflected on their opposing beaded sides.

This antique Chinese necklace is bursting with symbols associated with a marital ceremony, filled with parity, mutuality, partnership, & an affection of enduring love. Our adoration for this highly personal piece, has prompted our imaginations as well as respect for outstanding artistry. Ideal as a wedding or anniversary gift, with a substantial gravity in expressing one's serious intention when a special couple scare a deep commitment.

Length: exactly 50 cm from clasp to tip. weight : 25.5 grams total.

Item ID: 00391