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Vintage Chinese Turquoise
Jewelry Examples
Pectoral ornament, late 19th-early 20th century
China (Khotan), Turkoman
Silver with silver filigree,
cabochon, and table-cut turquoise; 4 5/8 x 4 3/4 in. (11.6 x 12.2 cm)
The silver jeweled ornaments of the Turkoman tribes of Central Asia
are characterized by their bold forms, striking profiles, and prominent
semiprecious stones, most often carnelians or turquoise. By the nineteenth
century, the once seminomadic Turkoman people had settled in various
parts of Iran, Afghanistan, and Chinese and former Soviet Central Asia,
but metalworkers' guilds continued to hold an honored position in each
center. Turkoman silversmiths produced a variety of objects in a style
and with motifs that reflected both Islamic and shamanist cultural influences:
jewelry for women and children; ornaments and fittings for knives, helmets,
and belts; and harnesses and other embellishments for horses and other
animals.
This pendant of somewhat unusual form originally hung from a chain threaded
through metal rings attached to the loops on the rectangular plate at
the top. The combination of filigree and a thicker silver rim is often
seen in Turkoman silver jewelry. The use of blue stones as protection
from the "evil eye" has a long history in Islamic culture,
particularly in the Persianate world.
Ornamental
plaques, 6th-8th century
western China
Gold with turquoise inlay;
1 1/16 x 9/16 in. (2.6 x 1.4 cm)
This set of decorative plaques includes four nearly identical square
pieces and one narrower rectangular form. On each of the plaques, beaded
borders enclose finely granulated ground on which thin gold strips and
turquoise inlays form a floral design. A braid made of gold threads
extends between the borders and the design, composed on connected trefoils
extending into the corners with a circle at the center.
Technically and stylistically, these plaques are typical of ornaments
found at seventh- and eighth-century sites in eastern Central Asia and
in the northwestern Chinese province of Qinghai. Chinese sources indicate
that metalworking flourished in this region under Tibetan dominion during
the seventh and eighth centuries. The use of the trefoil motif and granulation
provides evidence of active cultural and trade contact between West
Asia and China.
Chinese snuff bottle. Silver metal with dark patina, intricate surface wirework design with set in turquoise and coral. Stamped China on the base. 1930's to 1940's import piece that would grace any dresser. Stands 3 3/4 inches high.
Wonderful vintage Chinese teapot pin. Goldwash silver with flat smooth back and rounded filigree front. Decorated with enamel flowers and bezel set turquoise and coral cabuchons. Tuquoise pendant dangles from handle. Early to mid century Chinese import piece. 1.5 x 1.75 inches. Stamped silver.
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