Each suspending a curved jadeite plaque of highly translucent emerald green colour, surmounted by a trilliant-cut diamond, altogether weighing approximately 2.60 carats, decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds altogether weighing approximately 4.60 carats, the diamonds altogether weighing approximately 7.20 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold. Plaques measuring approximately 30.05 x 13.81 x 3.56 and 29.96 x 13.71 x 3.93mm respectively. This lot contains jadeite or rubies originating in Burma (also known as Myanmar) and also articles of jewellery containing such gemstones may not be imported into the U.S. With respect to items containing any other types of gemstones originating in Burma (e.g. sapphires), such items may be imported into the U.S. provided that the gemstones were mounted or incorporated into articles of jewellery outside of Burma as long as the setting is not of a temporary nature. Loose gemstones of any type originating in Burma may not be imported into the U.S. In this regard, purchaser’s inability to import any item into the U.S. or any other country as a result of these or other restrictions shall not justify a cancellation of the sale or any delay in payment.
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Plume fastener, a symbol of power and nobility
Plume fasteners are mostly cylindrical holders intended to mount a peacock feather. Each tube is hollowed out with a hole on one end, which can be fastened or sewn atop the headwear of court officials. At the other end is another aperture to hold a plume. The accessory indicates the wearer’s official rank and is unique to the Qing dynasty. According to the imperial laws of the Qing regime, plume fasteners cannot be worn indiscriminately. Only top-ranking civil officials were authorised to put on jadeite plume fasteners, while their military counterparts wore similar accessories carved from white jade. Peacock plumes fastened on the headwear were status symbols for flaunting one’s power and privileged status.
Plume fasteners were headwear accessories made for the most senior government officials of the Qing dynasty. Exclusive to that regime, they are extremely rare nowadays. Rarer still are jadeite plume fasteners passed down through the generations. This accounts for the exorbitant prices they fetch.
For some collectors, keeping plume fasteners intact, in entire pieces, is similar to passing on the rich legacy of Chinese culture and history. But there are others who prefer splitting the plume fastener into various portions and pass them to their descendants. These portions can be turned into pendants, earrings and rings, serving as family heirlooms and a form of cultural heritage.
Tiancheng International is delighted to present a pair of jadeite and diamond pendent earrings (Lot 211) from a private collector. The jewellery consists of two jadeite plaques from the same plume fastener, which has been passed down through successive generations within a family. Suffused with intense green colour tones, the jadeite is adorned with diamonds in a simple but elegant design. Highly prized for the translucency and richness, the jadeite reflects the lofty rank held by the first-grade court official who owned the fastener. An important historical provenance, combined with an elegant modern design, underline the exceptionally high collectible value of this lot.