Exotic Tan Jade Dragon on Necklace of Antique Crystal
SKU: 1498
£475.00Price
- As dragons go, this is an impressive beast. But for the Chinese, the dragon is a benign character, a symbol of the Emperor and his power, dominance, influence and playfulness, as well as an emblem of the universal source of energy, known as “Chi”.
- This dragon seems to be almost stretching his long neck, while his tail curls behind his back legs. He is a vintage piece of nephrite jade, calcified with age. The sandy colouration is natural. He comes at 41/2 inches long (11 cm), 1 inch wide (2.5 cm) and 4.9 mm thick.
- The dragon hangs on 3 mm crystal beads, on a long necklace of antique carved rock crystal, melon beads (9.6) from Afghanistan.
- Interspersed among the rock crystal beads are small, vintage, 18k gold on silver, on hardened resin beads, handmade by craftsmen in Afghanistan, giving the necklace a warmth and richness.
- The Afghani have been crafting gold for centuries. When Alexander the Great came to Afghanistan in 330 BC, his people brought many skills, one of which was working in gold. Like the Romans, centuries later, a yellow, 18 K gold was used. But one of the techniques was to take sheet gold and work it onto hardened resin and then decorate it accordingly. For me, this handiwork and yellow gold colour gives the necklace character and complements the gems.
- I have used a vermeil toggle clasp. Toggle clasps are easy to use and secure. My silver name label is attached at the clasp.
- The necklace comes, like all my necklaces, with its own colour co-ordinated silk brocaded pouch bag, made by a Shanghai tailor.
- The necklace is 20 1/2 inches long (52 cm) with a pendant drop of 4 1/2 inches (11 cm).
