A TURQUOISE MINIATURE PENDANT OF A SILKWORM China, presumably Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The stone with darker inclusions and in beautiful hues of spinach-green and lighter blue, nicely carved in the shape of a small silkworm. Central drilling showing ancient toolmarks. China is the first country in the world to develop sericulture. For every dynasty in China, the rulers paid great attention to the worship of the Silkworm God – Leizu to ensure a good harvest.

Publication: This lot will be catalogued in the book about the turquoise collection of Dr. Zelnik which is expected to be published in 2022.
Condition: Good condition with some minor, age-related wear.
Provenance: The collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Dr. István Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe.

Weight: 7.1 g
Dimensions: Height 0.5 cm, Length 2.2 cm