Jade
& Ebony Wall Plaques
In
the olden days, these wall plaques were hung in pairs together in
the formal "living room/parlor" for guests to appreciate
their simple elegance. The frames are intricately carved from old
growth rosewood ebony wood with a background of black lacquer. The
pieces are inlaid with antique green or white nephrite jade ornamental
carvings, along with other semi-precious stones such as carnelian
agate, coral, lapis lazuli, etc.
Each
piece is designed and contained in the frame to create unique individual
carved pieces. Matched pairs are quite rare today. Many pieces of
this kind have been absorbed by private collectors or have been
placed in museums. Craftsman able to produce these wonderful works
of art are becoming as rare as the pieces themselves. Soon this
will be a lost art.
Many
of the jade inset pieces are worth more as jewelry pendants than
as part of a plaque. 'Jade' often communicates a sense of mystery.
In Chinese culture,
jade symbolizes nobility, perfection, constancy, and immortality.
For millennia, jade has been an intimate part of the lives of Chinese
of all ranks and classes. It is viewed as the most valuable of all
precious stones.
Because
of the rarity and value, these wall plaques are truly a wise investment
for any collector and lover of fine craftsmanship.
-
by Frank Jang, Asian art and furniture historian and importer
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