Antique Chinese 1757-1842 Silver Filigree, Jade Fingernail Guard
Code: 14302
£185.00 Approx $232.12, €215.62, £185
(1 in stock)
(1 in stock)
Qty
For sale is a Beautiful Antique Chinese 1757- 1842 Silver Filigree, Jade & Enamel Fingernail Protector. This beautiful piece is marked silver, and weighs 13.52 grams, and measures 8.5cm In length. The finger guard has been converted into a brooch, and is in excellent condition. Unfortunately one of the jade stones is missing but this can be replaced. This finger guard has Green and pink Jade stones running down the top, and is beautifully decorated with enamel flowers and patterns. Please note that the first photograph shows the finger guard from multiple angles and that there is only one available here for sale.
Fingernail guards were worn by high ranking Chinese women during the latter half of the 19th century. The photograph on the left, from one of Charles Longfellow’s photograph albums and dated 1873, shows an upper class Chinese woman wearing two fingernail guards on her left hand. Long fingernails were a mark of high status indicating that one did not have to engage in manual labor, and in order to protect the nails from breaking Qing noblewomen wore metal guards. The guards were very often worn in pairs, one on the little finger and another on the ring finger.
Nail guards were often highly decorated. The pair pictured here have repoussé decoration featuring plants and a Chinese “endless knot” symbol at the base. In some Chinese traditions the endless knot is symbolic of a long, prosperous life. Other decorative motifs commonly found on nail guards were bats, coins, and various Buddhist symbols. The backsides were often pierced to provide ventilation. Some nail guards were inlayed with gold or silver, precious stones, enamel, tortoiseshell or other materials.
This will be sent via Royal Mail special delivery and dispatched within two working days.
