antique Chinese silver and turquoise Necklace Earrings set

The busy, ever-changing worlds of the bottom of the sea and the shores of tranquil lakes unfold themselves in the carefully worked repousse silver frames surrounding the chunky turquoise "rocks" that adorn this early 20th c. Chinese necklace and earrings set. I never cease to be amazed at the amount of minute detail Chinese silversmiths were able to condense into such small spaces without ever losing the crispness of each motif. It is very difficult to create jewelry so generously embellished without overwhelming the pieces themselves but the demi at hand is living proof that it can indeed be done. Clams, all kinds of shells, little crabs crawling about, frogs ready to leap out of the silverwork, small fish and lithe water snakes all exist side by side around the polished "masses" of blue green turquoise. And did you notice the nimble carps that form the necklace's chain and clasp? Simply spectacular...

Size / Weight: necklace is 18" long (wearable); stones part is 9 1/4" long by 1 3/8" wide; chain is just a tad below 3/4" wide; earrings are 1 1/4" in diameter; 140.2 grams ( for the set; 117.6 grams for the necklace and 22.6 grams for the earrings)

Hallmarks / Date: "SILVER" with additional hallmark in Chinese (either maker's or workshop's signature); ca 1920

Condition: excellent vintage with gorgeous silverwork, beautiful stones and fantastic patina; a superb example of Chinese Deco jewelry which would make any collector proud; I believe the clip-backs to be later replacements and American in origin as the patent number on them corresponds to 1949

Inv# 15935