晚清 銅鎏金嵌寶石雙龍戲珠形領约帶琺瑯嵌珊瑚鎖形牌

hinged and inset with coral, turquoise and lapis lazuli, formed as two dragons confronted on a 'flaming pearl' forming the clasp, flanked by two ruyi-form hooks that hold the lock-form pendant, centered with a dragon inlaid with coral and surrounded by enameled clouds, the underside of the ring chased with reserves enclosing emblems of the 'Eight Immortals' 

There are scattered small chips to the circular hardstones. There is a small gap between two inlaid sections of the coral dragons.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Such collar rings formed part of the formal attire for ladies of the Qing court, worn as part of the chaofu. Portraits of empresses and imperial concubines wearing collar rings are illustrated in Wan Yi, et. al., Life in the Forbidden City of Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2009, nos. 158, 194, 255, 256 and 355. An example is also illustrated, ibid., no. 254.

Although illustrations of the collar rings in the Huangchao liqi tushi (Imperial Regulations for the Ceremonial Paraphernalia) show the rings without pendants, an example of one with a brooch-like pendant is illustrated in Gary Dickinson and Linda Wrigglesworth, Imperial Wardrobe, Berkeley, 2000, pl. 166, and an almost identical collar ring, but lacking the pendant, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2006, lot 1301.