A long chain of equal-sized amber beads, interrupted by four large beads of light green jadeite, with shorter pendants attached. One pendant composed of beads of light greenish glass(?) or stone and mottled blue lapis lazuli, ended by a seed pearl and a pendant of rock crystal mounted in gilt bronze. A second with beads of green stone and amber, and a mounted pendant of pale blue crystal. A third, of black and white striped fabric (now detached), with an oval plaque of green jadeite, ending in a jadeite pebble finial in a gilt-bronze mount. The necklace has its original wooden box see RCIN 70716, a hollow ring with a hinged cover and metal holding pin and ring; black-lacquered, the top painted in red, gold and black, with a pair of confronted four-clawed dragons and a flaming jewel.

This is the Chaozhu, part of the regalia for the Manchu court official. Having its origins in Buddhism, it was introduced to the Manchu court in 1643.

Text adapted from Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen: Volume III.