Carved lavender jade pendant with amethyst set in 14k yellow gold. Not being Asian, it has always been difficult for me to decipher the carvings but I will detail what I see. This carved jade looks like a gourd with the sides carved in more detail. One side has a flower while the other looks like a squirrel climbing up.
"The large, tough fruit of the plant ‘Lagenaria siceraria, when dried and hollowed out makes a tough water-tight container. This cheap and useful gourd was used as a water container from ancient times in China (especially southern China where the plant grows best). It has also been used as a buoyancy aid for children. It formed an emblematic feature of the wandering Daoist adept to store his magic potions. Hù 护 sounds the same and means ‘protect while 祜 hù means ‘blessing. In legend, a Daoist master could be trapped in a gourd and later emerge just like the story of the genie and the magic lamp. By association a picture of a gourd fends off evil influences. The gourds are often painted, usually with flowers and leaves to match the organic shape of the gourd. A gourd is associated with one of the Eight Immortals Li Tie Guai 李铁拐 with wisps of white smoke emanating from the gourd indicating its contents - a magic potion. In a picture large 瓜 guā and small gourds 瓞 dié together with 蔓 màn ‘creeper (sounding like 万 wàn ‘numerous) represent a wish for numerous descendents 瓜瓞绵绵"
Gemstone: Carved Lavender Jade Color: Faint Mottled Purple with White Clarity: No surface reaching inclusions Measurements: 38.75 x 23.8 x 13.5 mm
Gemstone: Amethysts Cut: Round Faceted Color: Medium Deep Purple Clarity: Eye Clean Measurements: 2 @ 2.5-2.6 mm
Dimensions: 2" x 1" x .5" (48.9 x 23.7 x 14.5 mm including bail) Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Bail Material: Carved Natural Lavender Jade Unenhanced Circa: 1960 or older Condition Rating: 7 (shows some light surface wear from age) Weight: 20.6 grams
