ArtFire

Vintage Chinese umber orange cinnabar beads

A trio of vintage Chinese genuine cinnabar beads in a rare color never seen nowadays. These beads are from a buying trip we made to Hong Kong during the late 1970's.
Each bead is approximately 10mmx 12mm ( there are 25mm to the inch so each bead is approximately 1/2" in length ) and unlike most cinnabar beads, these beads are not round but more of an oval shape. The meticulous hand .carving on them is exquisite!

⦿ As a point of interest : Cinnabar manufacture in the New World can be found dating back to the time of the Olmecs, and the Mayans later used it in their royal burial chambers. The use of cinnabar in China began during the Song Dynasty (approximately 960-1276). In the creation of this lacquerware, a natural resin is built up to create a thick layer that is then shaped and carved. Layering of several colors in sequence allows an upper-color to be carved away, thereby revealing a different color underneath. This effect is particularly visible in beads.

In the modern jewelry industry, natural material is often replaced by resin -based polymers approximating the appearance of pigmented lacquer. These polymers come in various colors such as black, brown, green, red, and yellow.
➤ Unlike many designers today who use this polymer reproduction, all the cinnabar beads used in Forever In Style jewelry are true vintage genuine cinnabar beads purchased by us in Hong Kong during the late 1970's - 1980's. ⦿

A copper floral bead cap both top and bottom compliments the color of these beads and these earrings have been finished on surgical steel french ear wires which have a copper bead on them to match the copper wire.

Total length of these earrings is approximately 1 3/4" and they will arrive in a little box all ready for gift giving.

vintage Chinese cinnabar beads,orange cinnabar beads, amber brown cinnabar beads