Chinese Coral Torque Bangle
Remarkable antique torque bangle dating from the Chinese Republic period, circa 1920. The silver dragon head terminals are finished in vibrant blue, green an purple vitreous enamel; they connect via a spiral band made up from coral branch beads.
In China, the dragon is a legendary creature, ubiquitous with culture, prosperity, power and good luck. It is a guardian of natural spaces, and an elemental force associated with water: a protector of rivers, lakes, and oceans, and able to manifest typhoons, rainfall, and floods.
We find such creatures, nature guardians, in the mythology of every human culture: the fairies of Ireland, nymphs of ancient Greece, elves of Norse mythology, and the ko-dama of Japan. Mythology is more than storytelling for entertainment or a way to preserve a society's history or culture (of course, it does serve both of these roles). I believe that we, as humans, require these stories to help us to coexist with nature. They foster a deep reverence for the lands that we inhabit, and everything in them too - rivers and mountains, animals, plants, and trees, storms and floods. And we need them to preserve the vital biodiversity that we rely on to survive. Maybe human mythology is nature's way of tempering the excesses of greed and colonisation. After all, Mythology - and creatures like the dragon - remind us of our place on this Earth.
Era: Victorian, circa 1920
Internal Dimensions: 6.6cm by 5.5cm
Internal Circumference: 7.5 inches
Stone: Coral
Marks: Unclear, tested as silver gilt
Condition: Good antique condition, some loss to the enamel
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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threats of a new 10% Greenland Tariff have been mentioned. We'll see how this plays out and update in due course.
[Last updated: January 2026]
Resizing
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Layaway
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Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is 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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