Rare Chinese châtelain - Silver - China - Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

Rare Chinese chatelaine, end of the Qing Dynasty (late 19th / early 20th century). High-purity silver and a white and green jade disc. It was worn hanging from the skirt or the upper part of the garment. Often it was only silver, with hanging implements for cleansing the skin, nails, or ears. In this case, the presence of jade and the absence of dressing accessories suggest it belonged to an aristocrat. The jade disk is a representation of the PI, which in Chinese beliefs is one of the oldest representations of the heavens. These disks have been found in various sizes and materials in tombs dating back to archaeological times. The bat figure, at the top, is a symbol of longevity. The chain is 52 cm long, while the pendant measures 12.5 cm × 4 cm. The pendant and the original chain are silver. The Venetian-link section of the chain is stainless steel and was added so the chatelaine could be worn as a necklace, but it can easily be removed. A piece for collectors. Similar examples can be found on pages 192-193 of the book "cinture etniche" by Anne Van Custem

Estimate:£293.15

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