{"product_id":"chinese-longevity-lock-necklace-silver-enamel-agate-lapis-lazuli","title":"Chinese Longevity Lock Necklace – Silver, Enamel, Agate \u0026 Lapis Lazuli","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA distinctive Chinese necklace centered on an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eantique silver longevity lock amulet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, richly decorated with polychrome enamel and an auspicious inscription.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne side of the lock is decorated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eiris-like flowers and scrolling foliage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, highlighted in blue, turquoise and mauve enamel against a gilt ground. The reverse bears the traditional Chinese inscription \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e長命富貴 (Cháng Mìng Fù Guì)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Long Life, Wealth and Honour.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuch inscriptions are closely associated with Chinese longevity locks (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003echangming suo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), protective amulets traditionally connected with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elong life, protection and prosperity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lock is suspended beneath a large lapis lazuli bead and a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eribbed high-grade tested silver bead\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The necklace itself combines substantial irregular agate beads in beautiful \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecream, honey, caramel and warm brown tones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with lapis lazuli and intense green stone beads, possibly amazonite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe contrast between the warm agates, deep blue lapis, green stones and richly decorated silver amulet gives the necklace a particularly luminous and individual character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials \u0026amp; Construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAntique Chinese lock amulet in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehigh-grade tested silver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePolychrome enamel and gilt decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh-grade tested silver ribbed bead\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLapis lazuli\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIrregular agate beads in cream, honey and caramel tones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreen stone beads, possibly amazonite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine gold-tone metal chain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGold-tone metal clasp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe green beads have not been gemologically tested and are therefore conservatively described as possibly amazonite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNecklace length:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 38 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLock amulet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 5.2 × 3.6 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLock thickness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e approx. 0.7 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTotal central drop:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e approx. 8.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  139 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Cultural Context\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe silver pendant belongs to the Chinese tradition of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elongevity lock amulets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose symbolism is reinforced here by the inscription \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e長命富貴 — “Long Life, Wealth and Honour.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe necklace appears to combine this older Chinese amulet with an assemblage of agate, lapis lazuli and green stone beads, creating a highly decorative piece while retaining the strong symbolic character of the original pendant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood vintage condition with visible signs of age and previous use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe silver and enamel show surface wear and patina consistent with age. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eribbed silver bead above the pendant is flattened\/dented on one side\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe agate beads are naturally irregular in shape, coloration and surface. The necklace is currently mounted on a fine gold-tone metal chain with a functional clasp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWearing \u0026amp; Display\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e38 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is a relatively short necklace, designed to sit high around the neckline. The substantial 8.5 cm central pendant section creates a strong focal point.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt can be worn as an unusual statement necklace or appreciated as a collection piece combining \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChinese protective symbolism, silverwork, enamel and traditional stone beads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arkandis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55119095103826,"sku":null,"price":245.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/4935\/8930\/files\/6827-16.png?v=1792308176","url":"https:\/\/arkandis.com\/fr\/products\/chinese-longevity-lock-necklace-silver-enamel-agate-lapis-lazuli","provider":"Arkandis","version":"1.0","type":"link"}