Antique Vintage Deco Sterling Silver Chinese Turquoise Kylin Rider Necklace

  
Gram Weight: 259.7 Grams. Main Stone Carat Weight/Color: Blue with spiderweb matrix. Accent Stone Carat Weight/Color: Orange, Black. Stone Treatment: The stones appear to be untreated, but we are not certified Gemologists and cannot be sure. Item Measurements: The necklace measures 30 in length, not including the bottom plaque.

The plaque measures 4" by 3.5". The agate beads measure 15 mm. The turquoise beads measure on average 11 mm wide.

Closure/Clasp Type: The necklace does not include a clasp as it is long enough to put over the head. Pendant Type: Large intricately carved scene. Notable Features: Export jewelry, Chinese Turquoise, Handmade repoussé pendant, Chinese Shou beads, Kylin Rider motif, Orange Agate and Black Onyx beads, Lotus flower chasing.

Please take this into consideration before. This beautiful piece comes from the Art Deco Era! The Art Deco Era is famous for being the "Gatsby" or "Roaring Twenties" era. Many gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry resulted from this period. During the Art Deco Period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would often take weeks to months to craft entirely by hand. Chinese export jewelry became popular during the late Victorian Period and lasted until the 1960's. In a lot of ways, Chinese export jewelry fashioned what we know of jewelry today. During these periods, Chinese craftsmen, including jewelers and stone cutters, were considered by far the best in the world. The wealthy would have a piece custom-ordered through their local jeweler. The jeweler then drafted a design which was sent to China to be hand-crafted and sent back.

As you can imagine, this process was not cheap. It resulted in rare pieces and only few have survived until today. Chinese stone cutters were considered some of the finest artisans in the world during the Vintage Era. They would carve western themes as well as the more rare traditional eastern themes into their many pieces.

Turquoise is considered by the Chinese as the second most valuable stone, the first being Jade. Chinese turquoise was highly prized due to its rarity and gorgeous bright blue hues. As shown in this piece, the more rare stones contain a spider-web-like matrix.

Repoussé is an ancient metal-working technique. It involved shaping malleable silver first formed with an uniquely crafted three-dimensional mold. After the silver was formed from the mold, it was then further refined by hammering from the reverse side which added details to the front. The finished work was an intricate piece with grooves, indentations, and channeling.

The silver was then polished, which was the final step to create these eye-catching treasures. Chinese Shou beads, also referred to as Longevity Beads, have been popular for thousands of years. They can be found in custom-made expensive jewelry dating back to the ancient times. They feature the Chinese symbols of longevity, the Shou. Jewelry with these carvings are among some of the most rare Chinese jewelry in the world.

The Kylin (also spelled Qilin) is a mythical hooved chimerical creature. In Chinese and other East Asian cultures, it is considered a good omen that brings prosperity and serenity.

The item "Antique Vintage Deco Sterling Silver Chinese Turquoise Kylin Rider Necklace" is in sale since Thursday, December 22, 2016. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Fine\Art Nouveau/Art Deco 1895-1935\Necklaces & Pendants". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Style: Lariat
2. Metal: Sterling Silver
3. Metal Purity: .

   925

4. Country/Region of Manufacture: China
5. Main Stone: Turquoise
6. Stone #2: Agate
7. Stone #3: Onyx
8. Modified Item: No