Adornment Atlas
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necklaces

Necklace

项链

xiang lian

Beads or links strung into a continuous strand worn around the neck. The Qing court necklace (chaozhu) is a highly regulated formal type.

Not equivalent to

English “hairpin” covers several distinct Chinese forms. A necklace is not interchangeable with Pendant.

Worn at
neck
Requires piercing
No
Objects in catalogue
9

How to tell it apart

A necklace is a closed strand. A pendant hangs from a cord or chain and is a separate category. The chaozhu is a formal court type with fixed bead counts and separators, not a generic necklace.

Objects of this type

Court necklace of green jade beads alternating with coral, with spacer beads and a pendant strand

Necklace

Mandarin Necklace

Qing Dynastyjade and coral beads, pendants mounted in gold and enamel

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Silver necklace, qing dynasty.

Necklace

Necklace

Qing DynastySilver

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Silver necklace, qing dynasty.

Necklace

Necklace

Qing DynastySilver

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Necklace, qing dynasty, 127 cm long.

Necklace

Mandarin's Necklace

Qing DynastyPainted enamel

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade (nephrite) necklace, qing dynasty, 60.3 cm long.

Necklace

Necklace

Qing DynastyJade, diamond clasp

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Silver and glass necklace, qing dynasty, 118.1 cm long.

Necklace

Official necklace (chaozhu)

Qing DynastyRose quartz, agate, glass, silver, and silk ribbon

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jadeite, jade (nephrite), amber and coral necklace, qing dynasty, 104.1 cm long.

Necklace

Official necklace (chaozhu)

Qing DynastyAmber, jade (jadeite), imitation coral

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Glass necklace, qing dynasty, 66.7 cm long.

Necklace

Court necklace

Qing DynastyGlass, berries, silk

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Silver necklace, qing dynasty.

Necklace

Necklace

Qing Dynastysilver

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sources