Empress Necklace

Aristocratic Chinese women of the Qing Dynasty would wear pairs of elaborate nail guards on their little and index fingers to protect their nails and indicate their elevated status. Small turquoise beads are strung through a pair of replicas of these guards, giving a graceful curved shape to the necklace. A large silver pendant features a stylized carved serpentine dragon dangling from a glass bead which has been painted on the inside with a single hair. This piece is further enhanced by rare seafoam green vaseline glass beads, carved turquoise and small lapis lazuli beads and Chinese cloisonné.

Length: 21”
The S-clasp is crafted by Balinese artisans.