Yi Shun Yuan

In ancient China, jewelry served as a representation of wealth and nobility, and both men and women used it to adorn themselves with Chinese antiques and curios. Unlike Western cultures, silver and jade held higher value than gold, with each material carrying its unique symbolic significance rooted in puns. These symbols encompassed luck, health, love, prosperity, success, longevity, and fertility.

A diverse range of jewelry was crafted in China, including bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, earrings, rings, headdresses, and headbands, all of which qualify as Chinese antiques and curios. The royals had a habit of burying themselves with their jewelry, which contributed to the preservation of many exquisite pieces to this day.

The increase in trade along the Silk Road led to a broader variety of materials becoming available for jewelry making. Lapis lazuli, pearls, cloisonné, ivory, and glass beads were added to the repertoire of embellishments used to enhance the beauty of Chinese jewelry. The greater number of Chinese traditional antiques and curios that a person possessed, the higher their social status and prestige.