Antique Vintage Deco Retro Chinese Carved Yellow Jadeite Jade Beaded Necklace

Description

We have similar Chinese and Retro items, which would pair nicely with this piece, up for auction this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Chinese" or "Retro" under our auction items.
Listing Description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Auction Estimate:
,000 - ,000
Age Circa:
Retro C. 1940 - 1950
Markings
: Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin:
China
Brand:
Unknown
Gram Weight:
105.6 grams
Metal Type:
--
Item Weight Value:
$-- (value all-inclusive weight)
Material
: Silk string
Main Stone
: Yellow jadeite jade
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
Carat weight:
approximately 628.52 carats
Diameter:
9.98 mm to 10.22 mm
Color:
semi-translucent yellow hue with mottled lighter and darker hues
Accent Stone:
--
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
--
Stone Treatment:
The stone(s) appears to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts:
Carved and polished beads
Item Measurements:
Wearable length:
32"
Closure/Clasp Type:
This necklace lacks a clasp and is meant to be worn over the head through the gap
Link Type:
Jadeite jade beads on silk string
Pendant Type:
--
Notable Features:
This necklace was handmade during the Retro era. This necklace features beautiful carved, unique yellow jadeite jade beads.
The quality of the jadeite jade carved beads are
a stunning example of
the expertise of Chinese stone cutters, who were revered for their meticulous and detailed work with a variety of stones, especially jadeite. Since the Victorian era, wealthy Europeans had been custom ordering jewelry from China as Chinese jewelers were considered some of the best in the world. The process of ordering, making and receiving a Chinese export piece could take months at a time, so pieces like this necklace were very expensive and highly desirable.
There are a total of seventy-six huge jadeite jade beads strung on the necklace, each featuring
a unique yellow hue mottling of lighter and darker yellow shades throughout
. All of the beads are semi-translucent, allowing light to filter through their bodies and illuminate their internal matrix of lighter and darker shades. The stones would have been carved entirely by hand into round beads before being polished and set on a silk string. The silk string was dyed a bright yellow color to perfectly complement the hue of the jadeite, and the jeweler carefully tied a double knot between each bead in order to prevent bead loss in case of a break or wear from friction.
When worn, the necklace rests beneath the bustline on most people at an opera length, which was stylish during this time period. A classic example of Chinese export jewelry from the Retro era, this necklace would make a valuable addition to any antique jewelry collection. Don't miss your chance to preserve this piece of cultural history.
Damage:
Age appropriate wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
Retro jewelry refers to pieces created in the 1940s and 1950s. This was a period during which jewelry designers were largely influenced by the changes stemming from World War II. These designs reflect an infusion of futuristic vision with elements inspired by preceding periods, encompassing a variety of gemstones, shapes, and materials. Materials used commonly in Retro jewelry are gold, gold alloys, and silver as the wartime put a restriction on the use of platinum. Designs can be masculine, geometric and modern, or softer, more feminine and floral.
Chinese export jewelry became popular during the late Victorian period and persisted until the 1960s. During this period, Chinese craftsmen were considered by far the best in the world. The rich and wealthy would custom-order a piece through their local jeweler, who would send the design off to China to be made and sent back to Europe. This lengthy process was very expensive, making Chinese export pieces highly desirable, then and now.
Chinese stone cutters were considered some of the finest artisans in the world. They would spend years learning to hand-carve many different types of stones and excelled in creating finely detailed pieces other artisans couldn’t even hope to compare to. Their skill was so refined that they could even carve delicate stones like coral and jade. Chinese stone cutters were so talented that Victorian era European socialites would commission pieces from them, preferring the hefty price tag that came with such high-quality work to the ready availability of Western stonework.
It was in China—where the gem-carving tradition was already thousands of years old—that jadeite reached its peak as an important artistic medium. The first jadeite reached China in the late 1700s, and late eighteenth and early nineteenth century carvers created masterpieces that are still unsurpassed in concept, design, and technical execution. Jadeite is prized for its hardness and density and occurs in green, white, orange, yellow, lavender, red, gray, and black hues. The highest grade of jadeite is translucent and has an even color distribution.
The opera length necklace was very fashionable formal evening wear for high class ladies during the Art Deco period. Opera length is 26 - 35 inches long. It can be worn several ways; single strand with a higher neck line or doubled to create a choker effect. Traditionally, opera length necklaces are worn with evening wear, although using them to accessorize more casual attire has become a fresh, cutting-edge fashion statement.
Domestic US
: All items ship within one business day of receiving payment. Buyers will have 3 base shipping options to choose from, depending on the needed speed of delivery. Pricing on single and multi-purchase transactions can be seen below:
Auction Items:
Base shipping + .00 per additional gold item & BIN items combine for free
BIN Items:
FREE
Base Shipping:
USPS
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: .00 fully insured, estimated 3-5 business days
USPS
Priority Mail
: .00 fully insured, estimated 2-3 business days
USPS
Priority Express
: .00 fully insured, overnight delivery
International
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