Unforgettable Necklace of a Horse Sitting on Ancient Carnelian & 18CT Gold

The wonderful, marked and aged antique carnelian bead, measuring 4cm (1.5”) long, 3.5cm (1.25”) wide, and 17mm (0.75”) deep, is an element now very difficult to find. The opaque carnelian is a warm, rusty red colour with some rich striations. How old it is remains unclear. It has clear signs of age and wear and carnelian beads such as this one, are noted to be quite ancient.

Sitting, on top of the carnelian bead is a vintage carved bone stallion, inlaid with horn eyes. He has been beautifully carved, with his mane, and his tail swishing forwards, his legs bent realistically as he reclines, and his head turned to the side, with ears pricked up to listen for anything untoward. He is 18mm wide, 18mm high and 15.6mm in depth. He is also a signed piece.

The horse is seventh in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The horse symbolizes enthusiasm, energy, integrity and independence.

Supporting the carnelian bead is a vintage, 18ct gold on silver on hardened resin bead (14.5mm), from Afghanistan, made using the traditional techniques learned from their ancient past.

The pendant hangs on 4mm carnelian beads which hang on a necklace made up of the following:

At the centre and half-way along the necklace, there are four antique, 18ct gold, etched beads (12.5mm), made in Afghanistan.

The Afghani have been crafting gold for centuries. When Alexander the Great came to Afghanistan, his people brought many skills, one of which was working in gold. Like the Romans, centuries later, a yellow, 18ct 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 warmth and character and complements the gems.

After the gold beads, there are two, antique, carved, open work barrels of calcified, nephrite jade (14mm).

Four natural, rusty red jasper cylinders (11.9mm) alternate with vintage, faceted cylinders of rock crystal (12.8mm). The crystals are full of inclusions and wear. These are NOT damaged; the inclusions give character and texture to the necklace.

Lastly, there are two, antique nephrite beads in a creamy colour. These are carved in the shape of lotus flowers (16mm), the emblem of purity.

The necklace has then been knotted using a honey toned silk/polyester cord with the traditional Chinese “flat knot” as well as the “button knot”. This is not only a classical Chinese technique, but it lightens the necklace and makes it quite comfortable to wear. It also sets off the design.

A 14ct gold vermeil toggle clasp has been used because 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 44cm (17.25”) long with a 6cm (2.25”)pendant drop.