Inspired by the elaborate necklaces of the Xizhou dynasty,(1046-771 BC) I have come up with my own modest strand using beads and pendants from early periods of China's civilization.
Mostly Shang - Zhou beads and pendants |
Patina, toolmarks and carving style on these beads and pendants (silkworms, phoenix, turtle shell, disc etc) point tentatively to Shang - Xizhou period (1600-771 BC) and later.
The strand is made up of a trapezoidal jade bead, 2 silkworms, a spherical carved bead, a bead of turtle shell carving, two bamboo shape tube beads and a pair of cicadas interspersed with small carnelian disc beads.
Details of the components given below.
The strand is made up of a trapezoidal jade bead, 2 silkworms, a spherical carved bead, a bead of turtle shell carving, two bamboo shape tube beads and a pair of cicadas interspersed with small carnelian disc beads.
Details of the components given below.
Picture below shows beads with three different shapes. From left spherical bead with c-shaped motifs (1.4cm), flat turtle shell bead (1.5 x 1cm) and a trapezoidal bead with phoenix carving (2 x 1.5cm at the base)
Bead shapes are spherical, flat and trapezoidal |
Next is a pair of silkworm pendants the left worm is 3 cm and right is 2.8 cm.Pair of silkworms |
A pair of slender bamboo shaped tubes with left tube measuring 2.0cm x 0.5cm and right 2.3cm x 0.5 cmLeft tube is 2cmx0.5cm right tube is 2.3cm x0.5cm |
Pair of cicadas measures approximately 1.5cm x 1.2cm and likely to be later than Xizhou period.
Pair of cicadas |
The carnelian disc beads used as spacers are the hallmarks of many Xizhou necklaces.
The carnelian disc beads used as spacers are the hallmarks of many Xizhou necklaces.
Small discs measures approx. 1 cm across |
These red discs also add a touch of color to the otherwise somber hues of my string.
These red discs also add a touch of color to the otherwise somber hues of my string.
Rosy carnelian beads add a touch of color |
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