Qing Dynasty Antique Silver Qilin Pendant And Necklace. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail

年年帶子 

The necklace with a very faint gilt washed pendant of a little boy riding a qilin came from an antique shop in Beijing,  It appears to be an original arrangement, and not a contemporary strung necklace.  The pendant is done is very exquisite repousse work and the details on the figure and the qilin is very fine indeed.  The small boy with two top knots rides astride on the Qilin on a saddle blanket.  His right hand holds a large lotus flower 蓮花with the flower stalk resting on his shoulder.  His left hand holds a mouth blown reed instrument called a sheng sheng, a wind instrument.  The pendant is attached to the necklace by two silver bats.  There are four  silver 5 sided shaped beads with pointy ends, protected with delicately chased end caps. Carnelian beads are used throughout.  Two three legged toads, each ending in a flat carnelian bead dangle on silver chain as part of the necklace. 

This necklace carries strong symbolism.  The Qilin is considered a very lucky mythical creature. A little boy holding a lotus symbolizes fertility.  It is a pictorial pun, lotus sounds the same as year, so it means a little boy will bring another baby boy year after year.  Chinese silver is not sterling, so how much silver is in the pendant is hard to say.  It is heavy weighing 4.8 ounches and the entire necklace weighs 8 ounces.  The pendant is 3.75 inches wide and 3.5 inches high.  The entire necklace is approximately 36 inches long.  Chinese brides would receive similar pendants as presents from their mothers-in-law who naturally would wish for male grandsons. This pendant is more ornate than most, indicating this once belonged to a family with wealth. The pendant looks as if it once had a gold wash over the silver.