Antique Chinese Amber Court Necklace or Mala, 19th Century

Striking wide Baltic amber necklace composed of natural tumbled amber artfully mounted on an amber colored glass bead setting, 14k gold filigree clasp. Hand made, fabulous scale - 1....

Superb, rare natural translucent faceted Baltic amber necklace of impressive size, gem quality and color reminiscent of fine rich cognac. This necklace has been tested for natural amber and has a high degree of electrical attraction. The reddish orange, vermillion color is scarcely seen in natural amber necklaces of this scale. Amber has long been associated with the power of attraction and excellent communication, as is the color red- making this necklace doubly desirable. 38.5 inches (97.8cm) long, 31mm by 14mm to 13mm by 9mm Weight: 192.6 grams Late 19th Century Provenance: Estate of a US Ambassador Composed of 67 hand faceted graduated amber beads measuring 31mm to 13mm, well matched, translucent, some with natural inclusions. Slightly varying in shape and faceting consistent with being hand made and soft from handling over time. Very minor abrasions observed under magnification. A necklace of this size and quality would most assuredly have been created for a member of the aristocracy. A very similar necklace is illustrated in Louis Sherr Dubin's The History of Beads, from 30,000 BC to the Present, page 295 with the description: Faceted Baltic amber (succinite) said to have belonged to a member of the Russian imperial court. The amber was cut in the Baltic at Konigsberg. Center bead length, 3.1 cm. Collection Wolf Hunger, London A smaller size faceted amber necklace...

Beautiful, large, natural graduated oval bead antique amber necklace composed of thirty four hand knotted beads 25mm to 6mm, of desirable yellow-ora...

Substantial 72.6 gram natural yellow amber and 14K yellow gold bead necklace composed of twenty seven attracive oval amber beads with 14K yellow gold spacer beads. Excellent color with desirable variegation refered to as egg yolk. Amber beads: 29mm to 10mm, graduated Length: 25 inches Weight: 72.6 grams Tested for 14K gold spacer beads and clasp Condition: Very Good Amber is fossilized tree resin which has been prized as a gemstone since antiquity. It has been used as jewelry from 13,000 years ago with amber ornaments having been discovered in Mycenean tombs. Amber and amber extracts have been used medicinally in traditional Chinese medicine to "tranquilize the mind". Natural amber produces a distinct pinewood fragrance which when heated under the right conditions, produces oil of amber, likened to musk, an aphrodisiac. In ancient China it was customary to burn amber at large festivals and celebrations. Baltic Amber is particularly sought after for its beautiful honey yellow color. Two photographs in this listing show this necklace paired with another natural antique amber necklace...