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Jade Cloisonné Silver Pendant

Antique silver pendant with jade and polychrome cloisonné enamel featuring the traditional Chinese symbol of prosperity “fu”.
Origin: Miao
SKU: W-0779
Antique silver pendant with jade and polychrome cloisonné enamel featuring the traditional Chinese symbol of prosperity “fu”.
SKU: W-0779
Origin: Miao
  • Material type:
    srebro
  • Gemstones:
    jadeit
  • Historical Status:
    zabytkowe
  • Condition:
    bardzo dobry
  • Length:
    4.5 cm
  • Width:
    3.5 cm
  • Height:
    3 mm
  • Weight:
    6.4 g

Jade Cloisonné Silver Pendant

This pendant is crafted in silver and decorated with classic cloisonné enamel in vivid turquoise, cobalt blue and green tones. The openwork filigree structure forms an elegant ornamental frame around the central jade disc, creating a composition characteristic of refined early twentieth-century Chinese decorative jewelry. The enamel palette closely reflects the aesthetic traditions of southern Chinese workshops active during the late Qing and early Republican periods.

The centerpiece of the pendant is a round jade cabochon in a soft milky green tone. Carved into its surface is the character 福 (fu), one of the most important traditional Chinese symbols representing happiness, prosperity and good fortune. Such motifs were commonly worn as personal talismans intended to attract positive energy and protection.

The combination of jade and cloisonné enamel was not accidental. Jade has long been regarded in Chinese culture as a stone of harmony, longevity and moral integrity, while colorful enamel decoration enhanced both the ceremonial and visual significance of the object. This pairing frequently appeared in jewelry produced in southern China and in export-oriented workshops serving international collectors.

The SILVER mark visible on the bail suggests manufacture intended for foreign markets or production within a workshop engaged in international trade. Similar markings are typical of pieces originating from Canton, Shanghai or Hong Kong during the transitional period between the Qing dynasty and the early Republican era.

The delicate filigree surrounding the jade disc enhances the ornamental richness of the pendant while preserving its lightweight structure. The overall design balances the function of a protective talisman with that of a wearable decorative object, reflecting the dual cultural role of personal amulets in East Asian jewelry traditions.

Pendants of this type belong to a category of small yet culturally meaningful silver objects combining symbolic motifs of fortune with traditional cloisonné techniques. They represent an elegant example of early twentieth-century Chinese craftsmanship created at the intersection of ceremonial tradition and export jewelry production.