Jade Ring Hand Carved Antique from China

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Jade Ring Hand Carved Antique from China

About the Item

The markets are flooded with faux-antique jade jewelry, artifacts, amulets, and collectibles. Some of the pieces are so artfully rendered they are things of beauty for the perfection of their replication. But I have never been fooled. I need only see and touch a piece of carved jade to know in an instant whether it is old or is merely wearing a brilliantly designed costume. Old jade has an old soul. This is an exquisite antique hand-carved jadeite jade ring. My instinct is that the ring was carved somewhere around 1910, but it's possible the ring is older; it could be from the mid-1800s. It's very "modern" with its beveled rectangular face and the very crisp geometry overall, but examples of such modernity do exist from the 1850s. To my eye, though, it looks and feels like it was carved with just one toe dipped into the Art Deco era, so maybe around 1917. This unique and excruciatingly rare ring is composed of several colors which are better viewed than described but here's an attempt: there is a yellowish-green base with grain, a beautiful streak of red, then in front a bit of opaque translucent greenish-white plus several thin lines, splotches of a very fine-toned green, then there's a really watery bluish corner. This is a ring you really want to enjoy with good, natural light and a jeweler's loupe. The rectangular face of the ring sits atop a soft 45-degree bevel which then leads straight down to the shoulders and top and bottom of the ring. The ring retains its original polish. It's been very difficult for me over the years not to polish this ring because I know this texture could take a higher polish —and it has a high polish now— but I have nonetheless resisted the temptation because when I look at the old, original polish up close it breaks my heart, it's so beautiful. The back of the ring appeared cracked in the photographs but there is nothing to feel to the touch. Microscopic examination confirms that there has been no break to the stone. I believe the jade has a hairline fracture that does not extend to the surface. I also believe this ring was worn every day for decades. Jade, as you well know if you are attracted to this piece in the first place, is extremely durable and tough. You can see in the images that there is wear along the top edge of the rear shank. I think somebody perhaps carved this for themselves or commissioned it from a lapidary and once they slid it onto their finger it remained on that finger through a full life with who knows how many grandkids. The wear is smooth to the touch; there is not a sharp edge on this ring. Nor does it feel fragile. I believe you could wear this ring every day for the rest of your life and pass it on to your children or your grandchildren. Unless you ride a motorcycle or use a jackhammer regularly or work out at a gym; then you'd want to take it off. It's a size 11 3/4 - 12 and it could only be resized by having your jeweler construct a gold, silver or platinum inner band in which case you could make this into a size 10 or even a 9. "Antique" jadeite and nephrite rings can be purchased by the pound online. A genuine antique jadeite ring from China is a thing of profound and understated beauty. Comfortable? Oh yes. It's so perfectly smooth inside; the smoothest thing your finger will ever know. A rich tapestry of earthy tones, a carving of timeless elegance. This beautiful antique jadeite ring from China is a work of understated magnificence.

Stone:
Jade
Stone Cut:
Uncut
Weight:
7.48 g
Style:
Art Nouveau
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
1910-1919
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1917
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The ring is in beautiful antique condition and presents without signs of damage or repair. The jade possesses its original antique polish.
Seller Location:
Southbury, CT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU158917572602