🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Carved Jade Medallion

[EnvoyToTheMolePeople]

I bought this little jade piece at an antique store for $4. Does anybody know what it is or how old it is?

 

[gunsil]

Hey, how you been doing? I think it is a tourist piece and not that old, the carving looks amateurish.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I believe this is a Chinese ‘Symbol of The Sun’ amulet, these were made to be worn around the neck.

The Chinese believed that since jade objects lasted so long, they were linked to immortality. They believe jade to also bring good luck, benevolence, purity, and enhanced intelligence. In the West, jade is thought to be a stone that can help the wearer be more relaxed and calm. Overall, jade has always been said to bring its owner power, knowledge, pure thoughts and long life. There are many beliefs in jade's healing influences- especially in healing ailments of the eyes, nervous system, and organs, especially the kidneys. It used to be worn in amulets over the kidney area, as well as on the arm.

Jade symbolism includes associations with nobility and wealth. Many consider it a protector of generations, living and dead. Jade has been and always will be the “Gem Supreme” and the “Jewel of Heaven,” stone of the heart. A medicinal cult arose around jade in Ancient China. People believed mixing powdered jade with water produced a panacea to strengthen the body and prolong life. If ingested just prior to death, this mixture even delayed the decomposition of the body.

I have no idea about the age, but for $4, it's a nice find.
Dave

 

[uniface]

Probably some jade lookalike stone.

 

[EnvoyToTheMolePeople]

Hey, how you been doing? I think it is a tourist piece and not that old, the carving looks amateurish.

I've been pretty good. I'm working in Western PA now.

 

[tamrock]

My guess is it came from a Chinese import jewelry box. Not sure it would be true jade, but instead a soft stone that is easily carved. It might even be artificially colored to give it the green look of jade.

 

[GlowingArtist]

My first impression is it was likely the top to a jade low rise wider styled jar. And the tiny drilled holes for hanging are a modern after thought. See a possible jade jar...