19th Century Japanese Good Luck Pendants
Beautiful pair of rare 19th century Japanese pendants. Cased in 15 carat gold, they're made from painted porcelain and date from the Meiji era, circa 1880. The pendants depict two of the 7 lucky gods of Japan or 'Shichi Fukujin' ('Shichi' meaning seven, 'fuku' meaning luck and 'jin' meaning god) who's origins stem from Indian, Chinese and Japanese folklore.
"Hotei (布袋) is the god of fortune, guardian of children, patron of diviners and barmen, and also the god of popularity. He carries a bag on his shoulders which is loaded with fortunes for those who believe in his virtues. Hotei's traits and virtues are contentment, magnanimity, and happiness.
Bishamonten (毘沙門天) is the god of fortune in war and battles, also associated with authority and dignity. He is the protector of those who follow the rules and behave appropriately. As the patron of fighters, he is represented dressed in armour and a helmet, and is often seen carrying a pagoda symbolising the divine treasure house, whose contents he both guards and gives away. Also known as Tamonten (多聞天 lit. "listening to many teachings"), he acts as the protector of holy sites and important places and wields a spear to fight against the evil spirits. He is usually depicted in illustrations with a hoop of fire." - Wikipedia
Era: Meiji, circa 1880
Size: 2.2cm
Stone: Porcelain
Marks: None present, tested as 15ct gold
Condition: Good antique condition, light wear consistent with age
Full appraisal document provided with each item
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable)
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Shipping
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Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
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Resizing
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Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
A 25% deposit will be taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved, often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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