Charity Auction & Sale!!! Support GlobalGiving Relief Fund for Haiti Earthquake
Donation from 25% - 100% of the final sales price on selected items
Donation from 25% - 100% of the final sales price on selected items Saturday, January 16, 2010
Charity Auctions & Sales!!!
Charity Auction & Sale!!! 
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ornamental Jade House Decorations and Jade Snuff Bottles
Jade trees were mentioned in Chinese jade literature since Emperor Wu (140-86 B.C.). Branches of red coral, leaves of green jade, and flowers of semi-precious stones such as carnelian, agate, and colorful quartz decorated the tree branches. There are no findings of existing jade trees prior to the Qing Dynasty, but a plethora of this ornamental jade has survived until the present, mostly dating to the 18th century under Qien Lung. It was customary under the Qing Dynasty that wealthy brides would have a pair of jade trees in their bridal trousseau, usually enclosed in glass. Jade trees were planted in pots of jade and hard stone, or more commonly in metal containers adorned by cloisonne enamels. Pomegranate was the most frequently chosen tree due to its symbol of fertility. Interestingly enough, the ancient Hebrews also believed in the pomegranate as a fertility symbol due to its multitude of seeds. The pomegranate appeared in many Hebrew decorations, especially ancient coins. Chrysanthemum was the most common flower decorating jade tree jardinieres, as it is called the "flower of wealth and honorable position"
White celadon jade carving in the shape of a mountain, dating to the Qing period. Studying or praying literati are shown in caves surrounded by pagodas, pine trees.
Size : 8.3" x 4.5" x 1.6" (21.2 x 11.5 x 4 cm)
Blue jade sceptre (ju yi), dating to the 18th century (Qien Lung period). It is decorated in high relief with open work of superlative quality. The obverse features two dragons frolicking between ling zhi springs. The reverse exhibits ling zhi and part of the bodies of chi dragons. Size : 11.2" x 2.8" (28.5 x 7 cm)
Jade snuff bottles were common in the 18th and 19th centuries, mostly due to the European influenced use of tobacco snuff powder. Very elaborate jade carvings with high reflif decorations co-exist with modest jade bottles carved with simple designs.
Yellow jade snuff bottle decorated with pine tree branches in bas relief. The jade stopper is of the same color. Size : 3" x 2.5" (7.5 x 6.2 cm)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Buddhist Jade Art Carvings
Buddhist symbols and themes appear in jade carvings since the Tang Dynasty. A wealth of Buddhist influenced themes is also found in jade carvings of the Sung Dynasty. The most common figure in jade carvings is the Goddess Guan Yin, apparently identical to the Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara who is usually represented as a flying woman with flowing hair and surrounded by lotus flowers. Boddhisattvas as Buddhist saints are represented with ascetic figures, the most common being Boddhisattva Samanthabhadra represented as a bearded ascetic man seated in a grotto. Boddhisattva Samanthabhadra is also represented as a beautiful woman riding an elephant. Very frequently, Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara appears as a beautiful woman riding a lion.
Buddhist influenced decorations in jade are the eight precious things and the seven gems. The most common ornaments among jade carvings are the eight emblems of the Taoist immortals and also the eight happy omens. Swastika as well as the four accomplishments Chin, Chi, Hua and Shu are also frequently represented in jade carvings.
Whitish-celadon jade carving in the shape of Shou Lao seated and holding a peach in his right hand. The left hand holds mala (Buddhist rosaries) and is resting on his left knee. Another symbol of immortality is the crane on his left side. Date to the Ming Dynasty. Size: 6" x 5" (15.2 x 12.2 cm)
Green jade pendant featuring a Buddhist deity on the obverse. A peach, bats and dragons are carved on the reverse in low-relief. Size: 2.2" x 1.8" (5.4 x 4.1 cm)
Jadeite pendant carved in white jade representing Guan Yin with a boy holding a gaint peach and standing on her right side. The reverse is decorated with lotus. Size: 2.8" x 1.7" (7.1 x 4.5 cm)
Purple-blue jade carving in the shape of a Buddhist deity. A dragon's figure is on the bottom. The reverse is adorned with ling zhi flowers and other decorations. It has a flat bottom for easy standing. Size: 5" x 4.25" (12.5 x 11 cm)
Buddhist influenced decorations in jade are the eight precious things and the seven gems. The most common ornaments among jade carvings are the eight emblems of the Taoist immortals and also the eight happy omens. Swastika as well as the four accomplishments Chin, Chi, Hua and Shu are also frequently represented in jade carvings.
Whitish-celadon jade carving in the shape of Shou Lao seated and holding a peach in his right hand. The left hand holds mala (Buddhist rosaries) and is resting on his left knee. Another symbol of immortality is the crane on his left side. Date to the Ming Dynasty. Size: 6" x 5" (15.2 x 12.2 cm)
Green jade pendant featuring a Buddhist deity on the obverse. A peach, bats and dragons are carved on the reverse in low-relief. Size: 2.2" x 1.8" (5.4 x 4.1 cm) Jadeite pendant carved in white jade representing Guan Yin with a boy holding a gaint peach and standing on her right side. The reverse is decorated with lotus. Size: 2.8" x 1.7" (7.1 x 4.5 cm)Purple-blue jade carving in the shape of a Buddhist deity. A dragon's figure is on the bottom. The reverse is adorned with ling zhi flowers and other decorations. It has a flat bottom for easy standing. Size: 5" x 4.25" (12.5 x 11 cm)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Jadeite & Nephrite
Jadeite
Jadeite occurs as grains in metamorphosed sodic sediments and volcanic rocks, and is associated with glaucophane and aragonite. It is intermediate in composition to albite and nepheline, although they have nothing in common in terms of apperance, Burma (Myanmar) is the major source of jadeite, and is the only source of red jadeite, although good stones are also still unearthed in Guatemala.
Nephrite
China is not the only venerable source of nephrite. In Russia, it has been mined and crafted since 3000 BC. Tsar Alexander III's (1845-94) sarcophagus was carved from nephrite. For about 3000 years, the stone has been highly prized by the Native North Americans of British Columbia, Canada, where it was known as squa or lisht. In New Zealand, where some of the best-quality nephrite is mined, it is sometimes known as 'greenstone'. For centuries, the Maori have made beautiful nephrite carvings, and they relied on it for tools until the Europeans introduced metals in the 18 century.
(please click on the table to enlarge)
Jadeite occurs as grains in metamorphosed sodic sediments and volcanic rocks, and is associated with glaucophane and aragonite. It is intermediate in composition to albite and nepheline, although they have nothing in common in terms of apperance, Burma (Myanmar) is the major source of jadeite, and is the only source of red jadeite, although good stones are also still unearthed in Guatemala.
Nephrite
China is not the only venerable source of nephrite. In Russia, it has been mined and crafted since 3000 BC. Tsar Alexander III's (1845-94) sarcophagus was carved from nephrite. For about 3000 years, the stone has been highly prized by the Native North Americans of British Columbia, Canada, where it was known as squa or lisht. In New Zealand, where some of the best-quality nephrite is mined, it is sometimes known as 'greenstone'. For centuries, the Maori have made beautiful nephrite carvings, and they relied on it for tools until the Europeans introduced metals in the 18 century.
(please click on the table to enlarge)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tips on Taking Care of Your Fine Jewelry
* Clean your jewelry before putting it back in your jewelry box
* Put on your jewelry (especially pearl) ONLY AFTER you are done with your make up and perfume
* Keep each jewelry item in a separate box to avoid the slightest possible damage
* Check your jewelry for loose parts from time to time, and fix them as soon as possible
* Do not wear jewelry while taking a shower, working out, swimming or cooking; this is particularly important for pearl, which is a porous material capable of trapping moisture and other elements, causing degradation of the surface luster
* A clean container with warm water and a little mild detergent, a soft brush are all you need to clean most of your jewelry
* For cleaning of pearl, a porous material containing calcium carbide, water and protein, soak jewelry in mineral water and rub clean it with fingers, without using any detergent. Air dry pearl on soft dry cloth before putting it back in the box
About Jade
Jade, or Jadeite, to be precise, has long been revered by Asians as symbol of good luck, good health, and power to resist evil spirit. Besides the very mythical nature of the stone, and despite the much misconception of what can be called by that term, Jade, with its pearly luster and tough and resistant nature, continues to be treasured by the value-conscious and the status conscious alike. Despite the fact that the Chinese have had a love affair with Jade for the last several thousand years, the most important Jadeite deposits are not in China, but in upper Burma, which exports raw jade to china, and Hong Kong in particular, for further processing. Color of the Jade: green, also white, brown, blackish, violet, reddish, yellow, often spotted.
Jade has been treasured in China as the royal gemstone, "Yu" for 5,000 years. The character for jade resembles a capital I with a line across the middle: the top represents the heavens, the bottom the earth, and the center section; mankind. The word "Yu" is used in Chinese to call something precious, as in English we use gold. Jade was thought to preserve the body after death and can be found in emperors' tombs from thousands of years ago. One tomb contained an entire suit made out of jade, to assure the physical immortality of its owner. For thousands of years, jade was a symbol of love and virtue as well as a status symbol.
Jade has been treasured in China as the royal gemstone, "Yu" for 5,000 years. The character for jade resembles a capital I with a line across the middle: the top represents the heavens, the bottom the earth, and the center section; mankind. The word "Yu" is used in Chinese to call something precious, as in English we use gold. Jade was thought to preserve the body after death and can be found in emperors' tombs from thousands of years ago. One tomb contained an entire suit made out of jade, to assure the physical immortality of its owner. For thousands of years, jade was a symbol of love and virtue as well as a status symbol.
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