Chinese Mutton Fat Jade Necklace

I seem to be on a theme lately of ...' I've Never Seen This Before!' (INSTB).

[click on images to enlarge photos by: RidgewoodEntrust]

When I began in the antique business we were liquidating estates…emptying houses from top to bottom…after about ten years, I believed it meant something when I said “I’ve never seen that before”. After 20 years, a humbler self realized that there still was a great deal that I had never seen…and did not know…and I began to narrow my field.

Now, after 40 years in a business, (where knowledge is the basis of everyone’s income), I once again allow myself to say…with some confidence… “I’ve never seen these before”.




The center bead is a sea foam green... 34mm x 30mm, pierced 34 times with 2 holes on one side that transverse the bead vertically and 3 holes that transverse the bead horizontally, (bead people will know that this is very unusual). This bead would have been originally used as a toggle.

The carved white beads are 12mm, each pierced approximately 28 times. One can see from the photos that each bead is completely hollowed out in the middle. They have the luster of mutton fat nephrite jade.



This is an example of a 20th century designer necklace made with early Chinese beads and 20th c gold findings. The jade beads are so unusual that I believe they are 18th c... because... INSTB ;)

Visit PrivateCollection's PictureBook to see additional photos.

Dragons and Pearl Bracelet

Sometimes I let myself say WOW...This bracelet is the reason that I collect...to find something that I never knew existed.

[click on images to enlarge photos by: RidgewoodEntrust]

If you read the posting about the Wedding bracelets you will recognize the motif...two dragons chasing the pearl...but this time the the scale has been enlarged and the popular dragon motif is in technicolor enamel and the symbolic pearl is amber.

There are 56 different ethnic groups recognized today by the Government of China each with their own traditional designs...my best guess is that this bracelet was made for one of the northern groups where this larger scale is popular.



It's original owner was wealthy...it tests as silver, quite heavy at 166 grams and enameling was expensive. Checked all of my references and can't find anything like it.

Inner:6.5cm x5.8cm Outside:10cm x 10.2cm Weight: 166 grams




Visit PrivateCollection's PictureBook to see additional photos.