22k Chinese Vintage Jade Hinged Bangle
Description
A vintage Chinese gold bangle set with curved jadeite jade and natural rubies in 22k.
This piece feels like a strange juxtaposition of a bangle and cuff, meaning while the piece is properly a bangle, it also wears like a cuff on the wrist (hinged somewhat invisibly). This could be due to its structurally ‘stiff’ form – almost all of solid gold apart from three jade slabs and six ruby stones.
Yet it is also this minimal sentiment that gives the bangle a feeling of quiet joy. If you consider the colors of the jadeite and rubies, approximating apple green jade and pigeon blood ruby, this is actually a very vivacious jewellery item.
The beauty of jadeite polished thinly and at a curve is always a wonder; the rubies are also old rubies, with natural inclusions and few facets.
I am unlikely to term a piece of jewellery as ‘antique’ unless it is pre both wars. I term a piece as ‘vintage’ when it is created after the second world war.
While many jade jewellery pieces created after the ’50s tended towards a fancier (or sometimes gaudy) retro style – at least in this part of the world – I find this piece to stand out effortlessly through a mere few strokes of design decisions. Even the gentle relief work on its gold bangle, the diagonal lines, serve to relieve the bangle of its very solid gold form.
A strong woman would look feminine in this. A feminine woman may not think so 😉
