ArtFire

The image on both sides of this magnificent jade sculpture is the phoenix, a mythical bird that is included in much of humanity's cosmic iconography. The carving is done very skillfully so that the opposite side of the amulet or wearable sacred image mirrors the image shown in the first photo on this page.

Fortunately I had collected old handmade agate beads that harmonize beautifully with the ancient hues that have developed within the piece of 'black jade' over time. Speaking of time and age, the antique dealer from whom I collected this piece explained that the jade work is in the style of the Mongolian jade sculptors of the Shang Dynasty established by Kublai Khan in 1271 A.D. The pendant is no doubt created in that style but might well have been produced in some later century in imitation of the earlier tradition.

The phoenix amulet is made in precious jade, or heavenly jade, or as I usually call it, Imperial jade. Black jade comes from a source in the mountains that separate Tibet from northwestern China, sometimes called East Turkestan because of the strong Mongol influence there even today. This particular item is a chocolate brown, not quite the dark bitter greenish black of some pieces I have collected. This is also called Hotan jade after its source or Hetian jade, meaning heavenly jade. This is a true nephrite jade as classified by the official categories of jade workers. It has the waxy skin and subtle variations in color from yellowish tan to dark brown.

This kind of special necklace will be worn by a woman who doesn't mind attracting envious glances. She also will have to answer questions about her unusual necklace. Be patient and don't brag too loudly, or someone will haunt the antiques stores until they find something like it! Of course, they may have to go to East Turkestan to find the real thing.

The antiques dealer who sold it to me pointed out the robust qualities of this phoenix image. The beak is like the beak of the eagle, a powerful, dominating force. This would describe the accomplishment of the Khan or Great Emperor, who pacified great portions of the known world in his time. His dynasty is memorialized in this amulet whether or not it was created in his time on earth.

The chain is made of bronze-colored pure copper wire, made in the U. S. It contains no lead or nickel. It is hand made and though it has a delicate, lyrical appearance, it has been tempered to hold its various shapes unless mistreated. The agate beads are very special. They are from South Asia, meaning India and its close neighbors. They were handmade in the mid-1900s, strung and sold by street hawkers. As a result they came to be called beggars' beads by tourists. The shaping of each bead is done with hand tools as is the boring of the bead hole.

The amulet weighs 59 grams (2 ozs), is 7 cm (2+ in) diameter and 0.6 cm (approx 0.25 in) thick. The necklace is 18 in (45 cm) long.

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