#74 Jade Fragance Locket

Object/Artifact

MMN Estate Inventory

Entry/Object ID

074 Chinese

Description

An intricately carved Chinese white jade fragrance locket of rounded, flattened form, featuring delicate openwork decoration of scrolling foliage, flowering vines, and auspicious botanical motifs. The finely pierced carving creates an airy, lace-like appearance, allowing fragrance to diffuse through the ornamental exterior. The locket is surmounted by a rectangular neck with a carved geometric lattice opening and suspended from a deep burgundy-red silk cord embellished with elaborate Chinese knots and a decorative hanging tassel. Such fragrance lockets were traditionally used to hold aromatic herbs, incense, or perfumed substances and were worn as personal ornaments or suspended from clothing. Combining practical function with decorative elegance, these accessories reflected the importance of fragrance, refinement, and auspicious symbolism in Chinese culture.

Made/Created

Time Period

19th Century

Place

* Untyped Place

China

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Amount Paid

$900.00

Date

May 19, 1993

Acquired From

Jon Eric Riis

Name/Title

#74 Jade Fragance Locket