Lot 349. A pair of gold 'double-gourd' earrings, erhuan, Ming dynasty style; 3/4in (1.9cm) high excluding pin (2). Sold for US$ 1,912 (€ 1,635). © Bonhams 2001-2020

The two rounded sections separated by a small, pearled ring at its waist, and hammered into eight panels to the side walls, each framing chased scrolling patterns, the base of the gourd decorated with a cash design, the top capped by a lotus leaf with a long S-shaped stem cleverly serving as the pin.

Note: The double-gourd motif carries many important, auspicious meanings in the Chinese culture including fertility, immortality, prosperity and high social status. The image appears in many forms of art throughout the Chinese history.

Yang Zhishui states in Zhongguo Gudai Jinyin Shoushi (Beijing: Gugong, 2014) that the gourd-form earrings are a commonly seen design during the Ming dynasty. Such design was developed from the Yuan dynasty prototype (vol. 1, pp. 601-609).

Examples of related form are seen in Adornment for the Body and Soul, Ancient Chinese Ornaments from the Mengdiexuan Collection, Emma C. Bunker et. al. (Hong Kong, the University of Hong Kong Museum Society, 1999), pp. 282-283, pl. 124 & 125. Compare also a pair of gold 'double-gourd' ear pendants from the Carl Kempe Collection, sold at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 11 April 2008, lot 2324.

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