Adam's Fine Jewellery & Watches 8th December 2020

57 62 A LARGE JADEITE JADE, RUBY AND EMERALD PENDANT Composed of a large engraved colourless jadeite jade with in- scriptions, frame by two textured gold dragons with cabochon emeralds for eyes and two cabochon ruby accents, mounted in 18K gold, French assay marks, maker’s mark ‘BJ’, length 7cm € 3,000 - 4,000 61 DIAMOND, PEARL, RUBY AND EMERALD COCKTAIL RING, CIRCA 1960 The baroque pearl trapped within three talons of a dragon’s claw, entwinned a by a snake decorated with a brilliant-cut diamond body and cabochon rubies for eyes, to a textured gold mount accented with four circular-cut emeralds, mounted in 18K gold, diamonds approx- imately 0.80ct total, ring size L € 2,500 - 3,000 While the subject is still open for debate, the majority of sources conclude that the ‘ball & claw’ design first appeared in China.With the expansion of trade during the 17th and 18th centuries, marvels from the east flooded into the European market and many designers assumed artistic affectations in order to emulate Chinese works. Thus, we see the ball and claw being integrated into several facets of European design. In China, the motif is depicted as a dragon gripping a ball derived of crystal, pearl or other precious material. In Chinese mythology, the dragon is symbolic of the emperor, with a ball being representative of purity and wisdom. By grasping these traits in his talons, the emperor swears to uphold these ideals and to protect them from evil forces which would otherwise bring destruction. Four-word phrases are popular within Chinese culture and have been used for the last three thousand years.With each word car- rying just one syllable, there is a delight in conjuring enchanting imagery and complex thoughts in four simple sounds. Inscribed on this pendant are the words ‘quang jin pei yu’, which literally means ‘the clanking of gold and the wearing of jade’. Reading further into this, the phrase denotes wealth and beauty, wishing these attributes on the wearer.This collection of words occurs frequently in the poetry of theTang and Sung dy- nasties and is easily recognised by those with an understanding of the language.