AN AMBER 'THREE-FRIENDS' PENDANT QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

in the form of a flattened pebble, one side carved in low-relief with an outcrop of rock issuing a pine tree branch, a plum blossom branch, and a bamboo branch, signifying 'The Three Friends of Winter', the other side carved with an inscription, the top pieced with a small hole for suspension

The overall condition is very good. The amber has only a few natural flaws in the stone.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present pendant in its form appears to take after much earlier, Liao dynasty, heart-shaped pendants that were amongst the most treasured jewellery of the Liao court ladies. For examples of early amber pendants, see five included in the exhibition, The Artistic Legacy of the Qidan, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2004, cat. no. III.12.

An imperial amber pendant in the form of a peach was included in the Exhibition of Ch'ing Dynasty Costume Accessories, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 224, together with a plaque-form amber pendant, pl. 226. Compare a pendant of very similar form to the present example, attributed to the 17^th century, offered at Christie's Hong Kong, 2^nd October 1991, lot 1649.

Burmese amber, or burmite, has been known to Chinese craftsmen from as early as the Han dynasty (206BC-220AD). Amber was transported from Myanmar, formerly Burma, through Yunnan Province, with Baltic amber imported via the Mediterranean and India during a later period. Amber is known as hu po, meaning 'soul of the tiger', as it was held that when a tiger died its soul penetrated into the earth to become a stone. Thus amber was regarded as a symbol of courage and to possess many of the strong qualities of the tiger. Furthermore, it is also associated with endurance and longevity as Chinese writers recognised amber as a product of the pine tree. The medicinal properties of amber also contributes towards it popularity throughout Chinese history. It is believed to help the body heal itself, absorb and transmute negative energy into positive energy, as well as being excellent for detoxification and protection from radiation.