Here's a richly red string of carnelian (manao) disc beads from the Xizhou Dynasty (1027-771BC)
Carnelian discs also appear in the magnificient pectoral ensembles of Xizhou Dynasty. Many examples are documented in the Chinese publication Zhonghua Wenming Chuan Zhen 2. on pg. 99,105,111,112,113. However carnelian discs were used only in supporting and contrasting roles to hold the more valuable jade congs, plaques, huangs, bis and the whatever important jades in place and to give color contrast.
Below is a picture of a Zhou jade pectoral exhibited at the Henan Museum. It shows an ensemble of carnelian discs sitting alongside jade huangs. Whee ! what a swinging chain fit for an emperor to strut around in. Who else would go striding around with such a chain :) ?
In Zhou times the discs rosy hue must have made a striking contrast with the white nephrite huangs. For present day use I prefer to put them next to icy crystals.
Manao and crystal
Although the carnelian discs maybe generic and unremarkable alongside the princely jade pieces, I am a sucker for their flaming color and their rich place in history.
Here is a favourite bracelet of mine using the discs together with slender jade tubes
Jade tubes are not so old and maybe at most only 50-100 years or less.
Here is a favourite bracelet of mine using the discs together with slender jade tubes
Jade tubes are not so old and maybe at most only 50-100 years or less.
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