Lot 332. A gold-mounted white jade pendant, Qing dynasty; 2 1/4in (5.7cm) diameter of jade. Sold for US$ 5,325 (€ 4,535). © Bonhams 2001-2020

The white jade carved in openwork and incised line with a central cash design surrounded by seven flower petals, mounted with a gold bee with two spiral antennae each terminated with a small pearl, the body of the bee inset with a large ruby cabochon above a pair of leaves inset with additional pearls.

Note : Ornaments such as the present example would be used either as garment appliques or personal adornment such as those attached to pins to form hairpins during the Qing dynasty.

Compare similar examples published and illustrated in Celestial Creations, Art of the Chinese Goldsmith, The Cheng Xun Tang Collection (The Art Museum, The Institute for Chinese Studies, The Chinese University Hong Kong 2007), Part II, pp. 446 – 449, as well as in Chinese Gold Ornaments (Hong Kong, Muwen Tang Fine Art Publication Ltd., 2003), Simon Kwan and Sun Ji, p. 494, no. 336.

Bonhams. Elegant Embellishments Featuring the RenLu Collection, 21 Sep 2020, 10:00 EDT, New York