This is a wonderful example of detailed workmanship and elegant design… the granulation is perhaps the tiniest I have ever seen… creating a motif of hanging fruit with leaves…

[ click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RP (Bob) Birt ]

It is likely early 19th century, although the mark is no longer readable… it tests with a very high silver content… and is set with a white – yellow undertone jade stone approximately 22mm x 12mm. The inside diameter of the bangle is approx. 2 1/4".

The small size and quality suggest to me that it was not made for export… but as a gift for someone very special…

Visit PrivateCollection’s PictureBook to see additional photos… many in larger formats.

I receive a lot of compliments about the photography for the the site… Bob, probably best known on the internet  as “TechnoGeezer”,  has reorganized his photo site …

If you enjoy his photos on PrivateCollection, you might want to visit his gallery…

This magnifying glass was just too beautiful to resist… the silver work… repoussé leaves and flowers set with six 19th century jade buttons – on each side.

[ click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RP (Bob) Birt ]

The handle uses a piece of carved jade that probably was a hair pin originally … supported on the other side by silver engraved with leaves and flowers.

We have seen photos of 19th century hair ornaments that contain 60 – 200 jade buttons… and clever Chinese silversmith’s have found a way to redesign hair ornaments for the Western market.

A classic… and still beautiful after 100 years.

Visit PrivateCollection’s PictureBook to see additional photos… many in larger formats.

It was about ten years ago that I bought my first pair of antique Chinese silver wedding bangles…

[ click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RP (Bob) Birt ]

and it was the subject of one of my very first posts… The Dragon and Pearl Set. Over the years I have owned many wedding bracelets but that first pair was always my favorite… until now…

A matched pair of silver, enamel and coral ‘Dragon and Pearl’ wedding bangles appeared … the only pair of this type that I have ever seen. They are the kind of gift that only a wealthy Mandarin could afford …about 150 years ago.

When I look at them, I like to imagine the smile of that bride when she first saw her treasure!

Visit PrivateCollection’s PictureBook to see additional photos… many in larger formats.

“Spider sliding down his web symbolizes good luck descending from heaven“… Eberhard.

[ click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RP (Bob) Birt ]

This rare set came with a story… an American soldier who served in Burma brought this back as a gift for his wife. It is still in the original box and in almost perfect condition.

Over the years I have owned a few of these spider sets – fine delicate workmanship… very fragile… silver wire as fine as thread… woven into webs of the classic octagon…  but this is the only set that I have seen with the blue enameled spiders.

So we believe that the discovery of the spider set is an auspicious omen for all of us in the Year of the Rabbit.

Visit PrivateCollection’s PictureBook to see additional photos… many in larger formats.

This 19th Century necklace uses Chinese knots and features a large cherry amber carving of Buddha’s Hand… a symbol of a long and happy life…

[ click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RP (Bob) Birt ]

Modeled after an Asian citrus fruit… a fingered citron – that resembles the hand position of the Buddha in mediation… the fruit is called Buddha’s Hand.

This necklace also gives me the opportunity to share some more information about cherry amber… one of my ‘bead pals’ sent me a link to a website that has great information on amber … Thanks Nick (mrbrokenpieces on eBay) …we’re always grateful for your help!

Visit PrivateCollection’s PictureBook to see additional photos… many in larger formats.

This necklace is solid silver vermeil with crude hallmarks. The five early hand-carved cicadas are surrounded by repoussé floral frames… hanging from the first Chinese marked ‘book chain’ I have ever seen.

[ click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RP (Bob) Birt ]

The ‘book chain” was a popular necklace in England and North America during the Victorian era – used to hold a locket… which adds to my feeling this necklace is also 19th century.

The cicada is one of the oldest symbols in Chinese art… they sometimes appear on Neolithic pieces… "the cicada symbolized immortality…a cicada made of jade was laid in the mouth of the deceased" Eberhard, Dictionary of Chinese Symbols.

Rare, beautiful… but also powerful …according to Eberhard the number five is one of the most important numbers in Chinese mysticism …I still have a lot to learn!

Happy Lunar New Year!!! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Visit PrivateCollection’s PictureBook to see additional photos… many in larger formats.

This is the only Chinese bracelet that I have ever seen that pictures a legend from the Ming Dynasty. At first all you can see is a huge Shou symbol… which appears on many Chinese ornaments.

[ click on images to enlarge .... photos by: RP (Bob) Birt ]

But when you turn the bracelet the 8 Immortals appear…

This early 20th century bracelet tells the Ming Dynasty Story The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea - using their magical powers. Each Immortal finds a different sea creature to carry them across the ocean… a crab, turtle, eel etc. … all in repoussé silver.

The work of the Chinese silversmiths still have the power to surprise me!

Visit PrivateCollection’s PictureBook to see additional photos… many in larger formats.