Cleveland Museum of Art

Mandarin Chain Bead Necklace

Date

1800s

Medium

tourmaline, jade, pearls, seed pearls, seed coral and gilt metal

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Bead necklaces were worn by both high-ranking women and men, with a central string running over the person’s back and two side strings falling parallel to the necklace over the chest. The gilt metal was decorated with blue kingfisher feathers.

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