Antique Jade Bi Disk and Coral Pendant

View Similar Items

Nephrite Jade Disk Pendant Certified

Antique Jade Pi Disk Certified

Art Deco Jade, Diamond and Pearl Disk Pendant

Mediterranean Red Coral 0.32 Carat White Diamond Jade White Gold Pendant

Mediterranean Red Coral Jade 0.32 Carat White Diamond White Gold Pendant

Vintage Raw Coral & Jade Articulated Cloisonne Enamel Koi Fish Pendant Necklace

David Webb Rock Crystal, Coral, Angelskin Coral and Diamond Pendant Necklace

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Jade, Coral and Pearl Pendant Necklace

Diamond Constellation Necklace, Satin Finish, Moon And Star Disk Pendant 9 Dia

Diamonds and Jade Butterfly Pendant on Fine Curb Chain

Vintage Pierced Pale Green Nephrite Jade Pendant and Chain

Engraved Orange Coral, Diamonds, Rubies, Blue Sapphires, Gold and Silver Pendant

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 12

Antique Jade Bi Disk and Coral Pendant

About the Item

Would I trade my soul for "Princess Nina Mdivani's" jade necklace that Barbara Hutton's father purchased and then gave to his daughter as a wedding gift? Well, of course I would. But I also love the most humble jade. The Bi disk—a circular form with a hole in the center—dates to neolithic China. Laboriously carved Bi disks were buried with the dead to accompany them on their journey in the afterlife. The disk may have represented "heaven" and the circular form reflecting the never-ending cycle of life. It's one of the earliest shapes used in worship and today has different significance to different people. I deeply appreciate the spare, elegant form of this pendant. There is a naked simplicity in the way this highly translucent, mottled green disk, which has been carved paper-thin (1.3mm), is suspended by a simple but *crafted* silver buckle and then attached to a single natural coral bead of a vibrant tomato red. These two ornaments are suspended from what simply must be its original chain. The chain is as delicate as the jade is thin; like the jade, the chain is strong. The links are very well-constructed. The chain is silver -825- but not sterling. Nonetheless, it bears a very fine, almost microscopic maker's mark. Who would actually sign their name to a chain that isn't even fine silver? An artist, that's who. Somebody with excellent taste, a high measure of skill and a firmly established set of priorities: quality jade: top priority; quality coral: top priority; chain: strong. This piece should not be confused with the "Chinese export" jewelry that was created for the international markets in the early part of the 20th century. This necklace would have been made by a Chinese jeweler or craftsman for somebody who lived, worked and raised a family in China. You might think a pendant such as this would be a common thing. But you would be mistaken. Chinese export jewelry is much more common—and it can be spectacularly beautiful—than non-export antique Chinese jewelry. 1.3 mm. Think about how thin that is. Yet the jadeite disk is without chips or cracks. It looks today as it did when it was carved, retaining its original polish. In the last picture where the disk pendant is on a red background, if you look carefully you can see areas of semitransparency where the red shows through the jade. This is a treasure of historical importance. It was made with honor and has been worn with honor.

Metal:
Brass,Silver
Stone:
Coral,Jade
Weight:
4.18 g
Dimensions:
Diameter: 1.01 in (25.5 mm)
Style:
Artisan
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1917
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. A sturdy piece in beautiful condition.
Seller Location:
Southbury, CT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU158917572762