Page 42 - 2020 September 21 Elegant Embellishment the RenLu Colelction, Bonham NYC

342
A PAIR OF GOLD ‘DRAGON-FISH’ EARRINGS, ERHUAN
Qing dynasty
Each hollowed dragon fish carefully rendered in pierced openwork and
spiraling wire, the fins and tails in repoussé work, with an open mouth,
spiky back, its lower chin suspending a curving wire and topped with a
tiny lobed tray probably meant to hold a pearl.
1 5/8in (4.1cm) wide (2).

US$2,000 - 3,000

清 纍絲魚化龍金耳環一對

The Chinese word for fish ‘yu’ is identical in pronunciation to that of
abundance, making the image a rebus for wealth. The design of the
earrings is based on the Chinese interpretation of the sign Capricorn
(mojie) itself derived from the Hindu makara (sea dragon) and absorbed
342 into the Chinese repertory through the influence of the invading
Hunnish tribes of Xiongnu, one of the ancestral tribes of the later Liao
Dynasty.

Earrings in dragon-fish form appeared in many varieties during
the Qing dynasty. Qing examples can be distinguished from the
earlier periods by virtue of their spiky back, openwork body and the
decorative clouds.

Compare dragon-fish earrings illustrated in Chinese Gold Ornaments,
Simon Kwan and Sun Ji (Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Art Publication
Ltd., 2003), p. 551, pl. 386, and from the Betty Lo and Kenneth Chu
Collection, illustrated in Adornment for Eternity (Denver Art Museum,
1994), White J.M and Bunker E.C., P. 158, pl.71.

343
A PAIR OF GOLD ‘BAT’ EARRINGS, ERQIAN
Qing dynasty
Each decorated with a carefully cut and chased bat soldered to the
flattened hoop with beaded edges that narrows to a wire pin for
threading through the earlobe.
1 1/8in (2.8cm) diameter (2).
US$2,000 - 3,000

清 蝙蝠紋金耳鉗一對

Yang Zhishui states in Zhongguo Gudai Jinyin Shoushi (Beijing:
Gugong, 2014) that during the Qing dynasty a new style of earrings
came in fashion, known as erqian (vol. 3, p. 842). A erqian is a type of
hoop earring without a pendant; any decorative design is being applied
directly to the hoop.

Compare a similar pair of Qing dynasty gold earrings with a bat design
illustrated in Chinese Gold Ornaments, Simon Kwan and Sun Ji, (Hong
Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Art Publication Ltd., 2003), p. 533, pl. 371. 343

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