Bracelet, late 18th-19th century. Qing dynasty. Gold. H: 1.5 W: 8.0 D: 7.5 cm. The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; a joint gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler S2001.2 © 2013 Smithsonian Institution

According to Chinese rules of decorum, women kept their arms and hands covered as much as possible, but nonetheless bracelets were popular for the elite, and usually worn in matched pairs, with one on each wrist. The design of this exceptional filigree bracelet features two dragons playing with a magic pearl.