Pomander

From the second half of the 18th century onwards, carvers increasingly worked with mined jade. Unlike natural pebbles, excavated materials came in a wide range of shapes and sizes, which gave carvers free reign to develop their skill and imagination. New styles therefore emerged as a result of modern technology. The small, circular pomander was created in the midst of a fashion craze for perfume boxes. Designed to hold fragrant flowers, it was masterfully carved in a complex, openwork pattern of four orchids curled around the emblem of “double happiness.” Pomanders were often given as presents or worn on a festive occasion such as a wedding or a birthday. The lingzhi fungus design on the pendant bestows blessings of longevity on its owner.