Posted 9 years ago
Westside66
(5 items)
Gold Dragon within enamel with gold surround all mounted in silver.
It's a clasp that presumably is sown onto a fabric belt or band.
I know nothing about it, just assume it chinese.
Antique Chinese silver and enamel dragon clasp ??? | ||
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They are marked with that unusual '4-wedge' pie mark right in the center of each piece. Or maybe it is a cross in a circle. Depends on how you see it, I guess! The top looks to be brass & enamel? It's a three-toed dragon, and he is holding the pearl of wisdom.
FROM WIKI:
"Historically, the dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China. In the Zhou dynasty, the five-clawed dragon was assigned to the Son of Heaven, the four-clawed dragon to the nobles (zhuhou, seigneur), and the three-clawed dragon to the ministers (dafu). In the Qin dynasty, the five-clawed foot dragon was assigned to represent the Emperor while the four-clawed and three-clawed dragons were assigned to the commoners. Historically, the dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China. In the Zhou dynasty, the five-clawed dragon was assigned to the Son of Heaven, the four-clawed dragon to the nobles (zhuhou, seigneur), and the three-clawed dragon to the ministers (dafu). In the Qin dynasty, the five-clawed foot dragon was assigned to represent the Emperor while the four-clawed and three-clawed dragons were assigned to the commoners. Historically, the dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China. In the Zhou dynasty, the five-clawed dragon was assigned to the Son of Heaven, the four-clawed dragon to the nobles (zhuhou, seigneur), and the three-clawed dragon to the ministers (dafu). In the Qin dynasty, the five-clawed foot dragon was assigned to represent the Emperor while the four-clawed and three-clawed dragons were assigned to the commoners. Historically, the dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China. In the Zhou dynasty, the five-clawed dragon was assigned to the Son of Heaven, the four-clawed dragon to the nobles (zhuhou, seigneur), and the three-clawed dragon to the ministers (dafu). In the Qin dynasty, the five-clawed foot dragon was assigned to represent the Emperor while the four-clawed and three-clawed dragons were assigned to the commoners. The Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty copied the Yuan dynasty ruling and decreed that the dragon would be his emblem and that it would have five toes (or claws) The four-clawed dragon was typically for imperial nobility and certain high-ranking officials. The three clawed dragon was used by lower ranks and the general public (widely seen on various Chinese goods in the Ming dynasty).
Those are NICE! Maybe someone is familiar with the mark.
Thanks Celiene
Lovely clasp. I have a brooch from almost the same but with that mark and I have not yet found what it is.
I hope someone can help you (and also help me)!
Another beautiful piece, Westside :-)
The enamel is actually Satsuma pottery!
http://m.ebay.com/itm/121699425691?_mwBanner=1
The symbol seems to be Shimazu crest
:
http://koei.wikia.com/wiki/Shimazu
Kyratango,
Thanks again, now I know what they are I should be able to sell them.
So, you can mark it as solved :-)
I would definitely ask for more than the other seller did! Yours is MUCH nicer, and complete! Great find on the Shimazu mark, kyratango! Interesting info on the Wikia.