Antique Vintage Deco Sterling Silver Gold Chinese Carnelian Enamel Pendant 6.9g

We have similar Chinese and Art Deco items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Cait P. Age Circa : Art Deco C. Markings : "Silver" on the bale.

Gram Weight : 6.9 grams. 925 sterling silver with a yellow gold wash. Color: semi-translucent orange hue with an internal matrix of lighter and darker orange shades. The stone(s) appear 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. Length, including the bale: 1.65. Bale measurements: 5.1 mm long by 3.75 mm wide. Handmade during the Art Deco era in China. Chinese export jewelry was very popular and highly sought after during this time period. Features a large carnelian disk which is orange in hue and semi-translucent. Please reference the third photo provided above for a staged example of the stone's translucency. Resting in the center of the pendant is blue enamel accent adorned with the Chinese Hanzi character which can be translated as a blessing for longevity.

Completed with a standard bale. There is some wear to to the gold wash, revealing the sterling silver beneath it; however, this is not immediately noticeable and does not affect wear. The price has been reduced to reflect this.

This listing is for the item only. The Art Deco era is famous for being the "Gatsby" or "Roaring Twenties" era. A lot of gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry came out of this period. Jewelry from this period was most often crafted between 1920 and 1940. Art Deco jewelry sometimes featured white gold or platinum, geometric designs, European cut diamonds, filigree, and calibre cut stones that are specially cut to fit the design of the piece.

During the Art Deco period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would usually take weeks to months to completely craft by hand. 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 couldnt 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. Carnelian is a beautiful form of chalcedony gemstone that has been used to create jewelry for nearly 5000 years. It is an opaque-looking stone that ranges in red hues from pale orange to an intense, almost black blood red. Called the stone of kings, carnelian was well suited to carving, and would often be used in seal rings by the great ancient civilizations.

Enameling originally dates all the way back to the ancient Persians of Meenakari. The technique involves bonding powdered glass to a base, usually gold, by firing (heating and melting the glass onto the metal).

The glass hardens to form a layer of pigment over the metal. Enamel is made of colored powdered glass or may include clear powdered glass that is mixed with colorful metallic pigments. It was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Celts; and later the Chinese and Georgians. It resurged in popularity in the 20th century. It is primarily used on decorative art or jewelry, usually small in size.

Besides jewelry, enamel can also be applied to glass, ceramic, stone, and various other materials. The item "Antique Vintage Deco Sterling Silver Gold Chinese Carnelian Enamel Pendant 6.9g" is in sale since Saturday, February 27, 2021.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Fine\Art Nouveau/Art Deco 1895-1935\Necklaces & Pendants". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: China
Style: Pendant
Material: Enamel
Ethnic Origin: Chinese
Metal #2: Gold Wash
Metal Purity: .925
Main Stone: Carnelian
Metal: Sterling Silver