A RARE YELLOW AND RUSSET JADE ROSARY BRACELET 17TH CENTURY

comprising nine pierced beads resembling ripe white grapes, threaded together with a silk cord to to form a rosary bracelet, the smoothly polished jade of a warm greenish-yellow colour accented with russet patches

Zhang Guangwen, Guyu shoucang rumen baike, Jilin, 2006, p. 254.

There is some surface wear and occasional pitting, consistent with age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Beaded rosary bracelets and necklaces were a Qing innovation, which derive from Buddhist rosaries used by monks to keep count of their prayers. Made in a variety of materials, these bracelets became very popular by the 17^th century and are often found depicted in contemporary figure paintings. A rosary possibly made of carved nut beads, is shown held by a lady in one of the paintings Twelve Beauties at Leisure Painted for Prince Yinzhen, The Future Yongzheng Emperor, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition Harmony and Integrity. The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2009, cat. no. I-61.

Rosary bracelets of various materials including tourmaline, jadeite and lapis lazuli, in the National Palace Museum, were included in the Museum’s Exhibition of Ch’ing Dynasty Costume Accessories, Taipei, 1986, cat. nos 67-71, the first of which is also illustrated together with three further examples in Masterpieces of Chinese Miniature Crafts in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 49.