Important Chinese Export Sterling Silver Filigree Turquoise Nugget Ringsz9 for Sale

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Important Chinese Export Sterling Silver Filigree Turquoise Nugget Ringsz9 For Sale

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Important Chinese Export Sterling Silver Filigree Turquoise Nugget Ringsz9:
$345.00

This beautiful Chinese export sterling silver ring features a large polished turquoise nugget showcased in a decorative setting made up of small polished beads that alternate with pieces of delicate wire filigree. The design includes two rows of silver wire twisted into rope-like motifs. The bezel itself is molded around the stone, emphasizing its distinctive irregular shape. The shoulders bear symmetrical filigree decoration set on a textured ground which transitions to a polished hammered surface. The two sides of the band terminate in rounded edges, preventing them from poking uncomfortably into the skin.

The 8.4 gram ring is in very good original condition with no repairs and the stone is secure in its bezel. The piece has not been polished in order to preserve its gilt wash/patina. The inside of the band is stamped "SILVER" and the ring is currently a size 9 on a mandrel.

This chunky turquoise sterling silver ring displays beautifully and would be a wonderful addition to a collection of fine antique/vintage jewelry. A striking find!

Type: Estate

Color: Gold, Green

Stone: Turquoise

Item size: 9

Item type: Vintage

Material: Sterling Silver The relationship between China and silver is rather interesting. China used silver as its trade standard until 1935. Antique and vintage adornments were usually made from silver. The use of gold was very rare. The Chinese word for silver is “Yin”. The word for bank is “Yinhang”. That is how integral silver was to the Chinese economy and trade.

There are a few terms used to describe Chinese jewelry. Antique, Chinese Export Silver, Chinese Export Jewelry (early and late/new), and contemporary.

Early Chinese Export Jewelry (1911 – 1948) = At the end of the Qing Dynasty around 1911, many pieces of jewelry were sold from personal collections and shipped internationally. Around 1920 there was a major increase in the amount of jewelry that was exported out of China for other markets. Older pieces of Qing jewelry as well as new designs were sold. In addition, many pieces of Qing jewelry were incorporated or re-purposed into new jewelry designs meant for export. It was not unusual to see a Qing jade centerpiece set into a new bracelet or pieces of court necklaces, beaded into a redesigned necklace.

Both traditional Chinese and western designs such as Art Deco were manufactured during this time. The materials used also changed and designs were made in silver as well as brass with a silver or gilt plating. During this time silver jewelry was usually marked with CHINA SILVER, SILVER or SILVER MADE IN CHINA. Plated brass jewelry was usually marked CHINA. Most pieces of older Chinese export jewelry came from the 1920’s-1940’s. This massive export continued until around 1948.