Original 19th century Chinese knotting… and an unusual combination of amethyst and white jade… the white Hetian jade plaque features the He-He twins carved in an early 19th century style.

c. early 20th century, The pale lavender-green jadeite monkey (Sun Wu-Kong or the ‘Monkey King’) with peach shows marks that indicate early 20th century carving …the lines are clean, crisp and slightly exaggerated. 31 jade beads graduated in size; approx. 15mm to 12mm. Pendant; 2" x 1". Hand knotted silk thread.

These are nice examples of Qin Dynasty beads carved with the Shou symbol… with the barrel beads also carved with dragons on two sides. The jade, lapis and amethyst beads are undoubtedly from Mandarin Court Necklaces.  

This fabulous necklace of oval blue glass beads carved the the Shou Symbol is an example of the finest Chinese glass carving…

The knotting on this necklace is a 19th century style – but the simple button knots are made with gold thread… The larger eternal knots (Pan Chang) show two connected eternal knots with suggests that this was a wedding necklace.

The first Chinese Mandarin Court Necklace I photographed was for a 2007 PrivateCollection post about their history …it can be found in the PictureBook section of the site. Since then, I keep looking for new ways to present them… it is a challenge because of their size … I suspect that I will keep on trying because there is something magical about working with them… the stories they could tell!

c. 1900, Vermeil mesh in the form of a leaf decorated with eight Buddhist symbols in blue enamel around a carved coral head of Quan Yin. 2 3/16" (5.5cm L x 1 7/8" (4.8cm) W. Signed: CHINA SILVER.

c.19th century, A string of 33 Chinese enamel beads (15mm each) strung on hand knotted cord, 60cm long. Enameled on two sides with the double happiness symbol and two sides with the Shou symbol. These beads were probably part of a Mandarin court necklace.

The form of this extra wide (4.4cm) Chinese Silver Turquoise Repoussé Bracelet  shows the influence of the Western market on the 19th century Chinese silversmith. Large decorated silver bangles became popular in Europe in the mid 19th century.

This 19th century Chinese silver bracelet…is carved with rich a symbolism that depicts thousands of years of Chinese cultural and spiritual traditions. The Shou long life symbol at the center is flanked by classic Chinese images of the four miraculous ‘Ling Creatures’: the tortoise, dragon, phoenix and Qilin.

c. 1900-1910, Five large lapis stones set in silver filigree with open back stones. Stones graduate in size from 25mm to 16mm x 5mm at the back. Height: 2" at the front to 7/8" at the back. Circumference: 7" (17.7cm). MARKED: CHINA SLIVER

These mid to late 19th century silver Chinese wedding bracelets (bangles) found their way into Western markets… and along the way, they lost their ‘partners’ since they would have been part of a pair. They represent different styles ranging from the granulated ‘Mongolian’ to the simple but elegant dragon chasing the pearl…

This Chinese Silver Bracelet depicts one of the Daoist 8 Immortals; He Xiangu, the patron deity of housewives. She is the only female found in the 8 Immortals. Marked: Made in China No.23 Silver, this bracelet also has a vermeil finish… it is a great example of Chinese craftsmanship in both its detail and construction.

c. 1890-1910, Elaborate (fancy) silver vermeil filigree… three large sections each decorated with six Shou symbols, a 19th century jade flower and six stones; rose quartz, jade and tourmaline. The three small sections are decorated with Chinese coins …symbols of good fortune. The large sections are curved and hinged. 17mm (6 1/8") long x 3.6cm (1 3/8") wide. Marked: SILVER Tested.

c.1920, Coral and turquoise set in vermeil with enamel filigree forms stylized butterflies and bats surrounding the stones, 5cm wide. In the late 19thc and early 20thc this style of bracelet emerges. Some literature refers to this as "Peking" style. The bracelets are still decorated with traditional Chinese motifs but in openwork cloisonné on a silver mesh wirework… some are also gold plated vermeil.

c. 19th century, Qilin with figure carrying a fan, all silver, front repoussé chased detail, flat back. 19th century silver, jade and turquoise beads. All parts tested SILVER. Qilin: 9.5cm wide, 8.5cm height. Tassels with bells: 5cm length. Neck chain: 70cm Total (Beads 36cm) length.

c. 19th century lapis… Reset as a bracelet c. 1900-1920. 5 Matching lapis stones carved and pierced are set in vermeil flowers and leaves with braided vermeil wire. 17.4cm long, 3.4cm wide (at center), Stones (4) 2cm x 2cm, Clasp stone 2.2cm x 1.3 cm, Tested Silver.

c. 19th century, Chinese silver lock (tested) with silver chain (tested) and repoussé designs on both sides. For more information, the article The life of Chinese Silver Symbolic Locks — a collector’s view is helpful.

This 27″ necklace was made for the Western market…the beads are graduated in size from 10mm-13mm, a style that became popular c. 1920-1930 …carved with the Shou symbol on two sides and a flowing design on the other two.

c.19th century, Rare silver dragon bangles with dragon head… wonderful detail – hinged and decorated with fine filigree and granulation work… flexible tongue.  Inner Diameter: 2 1/4". (5.6cm). Width: 7mm at back, 17mm at the head. TESTED: silver 900 app.

c. 1930-40, 5 curved links of mesh with open-work cloisonné.  Marked-SILVER MADE IN CHINA, 5.1cm x 18cm. Three white jade figures; 3cm x 1.4cm, 2.8cm x 1.3cm, 2.5cm x 1.5cm. The three carved jade figures at the center of this bracelet are; Fu, Lu and Shousee.

This string features 16 carved white jade figures of monks with small carnelian beads (carved with the Shou symbol) I believe that these jade monk beads were at on time also part of a prayer string… which would have had 18 beads originally.

c. 19th century, Coral seed bead (1mm) peyote stitch necklace with two red Peking Glass beads (7mm) with a gilt pendant (3.8cm x 3.6cm) decorated on both sides with kingfisher feathers and coral seed bead centers, with a coral and kingfisher drop (2cm) and a matching pair of earrings.

c. 19th century, This solid silver (tested) antique Chinese enamel necklace is extremely rare. It has a delicate chain with links decorated with enameled flowers and symbols in 5 colors…blue, green, purple, yellow and turquoise. The pendant is all turquoise with drops… 2 cicadas, 2 vases and a butterfly and has an old clasp with Chinese Hallmarks. the chain is approx. 18" (48cm) long and the drop is approx. 2" (5cm) long.

c. Early 19th century, Granulation work silver bangle. No Marks but tested as HIGH CONTENT SILVER. Set with hard stone – white with yellow undertones which may be jade- but because the back is closed, a scratch test can not be done. The stone is approx. 22mm x 12mm. The inside diameter is approx. 2 1/4″.

Chinese Antique Ornaments exhibit some of the finest craftsmanship and beauty that one will ever see. There are many possible categories based on their ‘function’ but the one thing that they all have in common is how they ‘please the eye’ while containing a cultural richness… one that seems timeless… that is why I have added the term ‘Art’ and hope that I do them some small justice.

This is a series of 34 photographs I hope are a good representation of my work as a product photographer. All of the pieces are Antique Chinese Jewelry and each piece has a character of its own… this presents numerous challenges, since many of them have a variety of materials and surfaces. All have been featured on PrivateCollection’s PhotoBlog.

This necklace is solid silver vermeil with crude hallmarks. The five early hand-carved cicadas are surrounded by repoussé floral frames… hanging from a  Chinese marked ‘book chain’.

“the cicada symbolized immortality…a cicada made of jade was laid in the mouth of the deceased” Eberhard, Dictionary of Chinese Symbols.

These were probably made in the mid 19th century… decorated with the feathers from the Kingfish bird… creates a mixed feeling about their beauty and the demise of so many wonderful animals… almost to the point of extinction…

c.1920-30, Two dragons chasing the sun are the motif on the central panel of this bracelet. Seven curved panels made in two layers of silver, solid back with front carved and reticulated. The other panels are decorated with bamboo dragons and plumb blossoms. Signed: ARGENT (French for silver) SA.SON. Length: 18.5cm. Width: 4.5cm-1.5cm.

When I do the photography for PrivateCollection, it is important that the objects are not ‘enhanced’ with Photoshop or another photo editing techniques. With the ‘Photo Art’ there is a lot more leeway… so many of these images have been digitally manipulated.

The monkey is a common subject in Chinese art… these two carvings represent the most famous monkey in Asia…

His name is Sun Wu-Kong or the ‘Monkey King’… “his most famous antic is stealing the peaches of immortality” (from the humans).

Susan’s brother, John Dods, created this Whoopi Goldberg sculpt some years ago for the movie Naked in New York …I suspect this will be the only time I ever get to photograph her…  I thought it would be neat to share it (oh no, here it comes) as a ‘New Year’s Whoopi!’

Early 20th century silver vermeil bracelet…three curved panels clasp  at the back. Openwork cloisonné and symbols. Set with carnelian figure. 5 cm high tapering to 2 cm at the back. The symbols- double happiness, clouds and the bats (good fortune) all suggest that this is a wedding bracelet and that the carved stone figure represents a child or a woman.

These carved jade beads were probably from a Mandarin Court necklace… the large 28mm Head Bead had so much character that it seemed to be looking into the camera.

These are not only beautiful pieces of jewelry but they also a great examples of how the Chinese culture is expressed though them. Probably made in the late 19th-early 20th century for export to the West…

A lot of my time is spent photographing various types of beads… the Chinese were amazing at creating things out of glass… often combining other elements such as knotting or jade links… the challenge is always to try to present what is really a repetitive element in an interesting way…

These Immortals are from a silk and paper screen that was hand painted…. it is one of the most colorful depictions i have seen.There is a good explanation of the the eight immortals here,

The set of sculpts By John Dods, from “Naked In New York” – with actor Rocco Sisto – who played “Comedy” to Whoopi Goldberg’s “Tragedy”.

Somba and the art of eating ice cream… from both the top and bottom of the spoon… and of course, never leaving behind a trace.

Susan received a beautiful flower arrangement the other day and I could not resist spending some time with it…

while the settings are very similar, each of these bracelets has such a different character and personality.

These were shot for the PrivateCollection Blog… there is just something special about them…. Fodouda (Buddha’s Head) beads are unique in their shape … completing the circle of the necklace and joining the counter weight ….

Some mornings it just takes me a while to become cute…  but after a couple of tries… I’m good to go!

These 13 huge 22mm ( 28mm with stems) silver beads, each with 2 three claw dragons were not around very long… I would have liked to have had more time to work with them. There was something special in the way that they felt and the sounds they made when they would ‘rattle’ together… perhaps I should have shot a video rather than stills to get the full effect!

“Many persons of status accepted potential poisoning as a chronic threat and armed themselves for battle against it. Because wine and other drinks were often laced with arsenic, the most popular poison of the period, many magical devices were employed to negate its deleterious effects before it was consumed. The most common and effective of these amulets was the bezoar stone…” So, here we have a 19th century Chinese sterling silver bracelet with dragons… exquisite workmanship… set with a bezoar… with a carved human face…custom made for whom and why? …certainly someone wealthy and powerful… did they believe in its powers? (from the PrivateCollection PhotoBlog)

I suppose Somba would have to show up sometime… there is only so much Chinese jewelry… but an unlimited amount of him…

a beautiful piece to photograph….

Photographing jade is always a challenge. It is difficult to capture the ‘life’ that is there. Normally, I wouldn’t include my fingers in a shoot… but with this piece it was easier to tilt the object than the camera. I had originally photographed this 19th century Nephrite Chinese lock for PrivateCollection’s 07-04-11 blog but I was never happy with the photos… I am glad I had a second chance.

Now that lightbox is installed on the site, I can use a mixture of different sizes of images in the layout but when lightbox is launched, all of the images are grouped together by lightbox into one enlarged presentation …. give it a try … click on any image …It really adds flexibility for layouts and impact to the photos!

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I spent a lot of time with this badger…. he was very elusive and at first did not want to be photographed on a dark background … but he had so much character and like the jade monkey, he had a way of looking into the camera … so I stayed with it and finally he agreed to have his portrait taken.

This is a portfolio of jewelry photos shot on a white background using natural light. Although my quest is for the ‘absolute black’ background, this format is useful for catalogs and cyber-selling on sites like eBay.

It seems that My 19″ Universe has become my PhotoBlog… a place to share some of the images that are special to me… as I spend more and more of my time with the photography…