Chinese Carved Shou Bead Necklace
A gorgeous Chinese carved quartz Shou bead and blister pearl necklace. This is a 38 inch continuous loop (opera length) strung with mixed earth coloured quartz and pearls. There are 9 focal shou beads with carved flower edging and are scored with Chinese symbols in the centre. Surrounding the shou beads are 18 large glossy black blister pearls, whilst further quartz beads are fasetted and smooth in both smokey and milky tones. This is a stunning and rare piece of semi precious jewellery and it is lucky to find the traditional art of Shou bead carving during this later period of 1960s to 1980s!
The necklace is in excellent condition, although there are small smooth irregularities on the edges of the shou beads, and one chip directly where the hole has been drilled on one bead. All beads are glossy and bright. It is a heavy 180g necklace and so strung on fine wire.