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Lot Essay
The court necklace, chaozhu, was an integral element of Qing official dress. Linked to the Buddhist rosary, the necklace was composed of 108 beads in four sections of 27, separated by larger 'Buddha's head' beads. Many different materials were used including, as with the present necklace, glass imitating more precious materials. Compare the two necklaces sold in these rooms, 24 March 2004, lot 35, one with carnelian agate beads, the other with glass beads.