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ID #SA1205157
FOR SALE
£1,200
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Chinese Amber Necklace with Eighteen Carved Luohan Heads and Figural Pendant, C. 1870
Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €1,404     $1,524
£1,200
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
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Chinese Amber Necklace with Eighteen Carved Luohan Heads and Figural Pendant, C. 1870

19th century
Description

A Chinese amber necklace composed of eighteen individually carved luohan heads separated by spherical spacer beads and ending with a sculptural pendant featuring a small figural group. The carving is lively and expressive, with deeply cut features and the slightly grotesque expressions characteristic of traditional representations of the Eighteen Luohan.

The amber displays natural colour variation ranging from rich cognac and reddish tones to lighter honey hues, with internal clouding visible within the translucent material. Such amber was widely used by Chinese craftsmen in the late Qing period for devotional and decorative objects.

Pieces of this type combine Buddhist symbolism with sculptural amber carving and are appreciated by collectors for the individuality of each carved head and the presence of a figural pendant.

Measurements

Length folded: 36 cm (14.17?)

Length extended: approximately 72 cm (28.35?)

Weight: 107 g

Condition

Good antique condition. No visible major damage or repairs observed in the carved amber elements.

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes labour, packaging and postage.

Carefully packed using appropriate materials.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Chinese Carved Amber Necklace to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1205157
Dealers Internal Reference
B1678
Description
A Chinese amber necklace composed of eighteen individually carved luohan heads separated by spherical spacer beads and ending with a sculptural pendant featuring a small figural group.
“
The carving is lively and expressive, with deeply cut features and the slightly grotesque expressions characteristic of traditional representations of the Eighteen Luohan.
Gillers Antiques Ltd
fig 1. A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.
fig 1. Chinese Amber Necklace with Eighteen Carved Luohan Heads and Figural Pendant, C. 1870

The amber displays natural colour variation ranging from rich cognac and reddish tones to lighter honey hues, with internal clouding visible within the translucent material. Such amber was widely used by Chinese craftsmen in the late Qing period for devotional and decorative objects.

fig 2. A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.
fig 2. Chinese Amber Necklace with Eighteen Carved Luohan Heads and Figural Pendant, C. 1870

Pieces of this type combine Buddhist symbolism with sculptural amber carving and are appreciated by collectors for the individuality of each carved head and the presence of a figural pendant.

Measurements

fig 3. A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.
fig 3. Chinese Amber Necklace with Eighteen Carved Luohan Heads and Figural Pendant, C. 1870

Length folded: 36 cm (14.17?)

Length extended: approximately 72 cm (28.35?)

Weight: 107 g

Condition

Good antique condition. No visible major damage or repairs observed in the carved amber elements.

Shipping & Packaging

fig 4. A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.
fig 4. Chinese Amber Necklace with Eighteen Carved Luohan Heads and Figural Pendant, C. 1870

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes labour, packaging and postage.

Carefully packed using appropriate materials.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Chinese Carved Amber Necklace to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1205157
Dealers Internal Ref
B1678
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

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A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.
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Archive I A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.

Chinese Amber Necklace with Eighteen Carved Luohan Heads and Figural Pendant, C. 1870

Archive II A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View II
Archive III A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View III
Archive IV A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View IV
Archive V A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View V
Archive VI A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View VI
Archive VII A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View VII
Archive VIII A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View VIII
Archive IX A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View IX
Archive X A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View X
Archive XI A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View XI
Archive XII A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 401
Items Sold 564
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
401
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A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.
Chinese amber necklace with eighteen carved luohan heads and figural pendant, c. 1870
Ref: SA1205157
A Chinese amber necklace featuring eighteen hand-carved luohan head beads and a figural carved pendant drop.
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FAQs

Carved amber jewellery and prayer beads held significant status during the Qing Dynasty in China. Amber was valued for its warm tone and organic origin, often reserved for court official chains or sacred Buddhist devotional items representing spiritual protection.

Craftsmen utilised hand tools such as small chisels and abrasives to shape fossilised tree resin into detailed beads. Intricate miniature carvings, such as the faces of Buddhist Luohans (Arhats), required high skill due to the brittle nature of amber.

Authentic amber features microscopic natural inclusions, slight internal irregularities, and a light weight relative to its size. Genuine period pieces often display natural surface patination, fine hand-carving marks rather than moulded seams, and static electric charge when rubbed.

When not worn, small carved antique necklaces can be presented mounted inside a custom acrylic display case, laid across a decorative tray, or suspended on a dedicated stand on a bookshelf to highlight the carved relief.

Amber is a soft, organic material susceptible to chemicals, heat, and direct sunlight. Clean gently with a soft microfibre cloth dampened with warm water, avoiding ultrasonic cleaners, harsh solvents, or alcohol-based solutions.
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