Denizalp D.

Mearto specialist

Hello Shannon, I’m glad that you chose Mearto for your online appraisal request, Considering the photographs, overall pattern, stone quality and the composition, I concluded that this is a Jade Carved ‘Chilong’ Belt Hook belonging to the period 1910-1950. The piece is hand carved by probably Chinese artists and exported elsewhere. The carving quality is quite good but the composition and the appereance of the dragon differ the piece from it's original inspirations from 18th and 19th century. Seems very intact and without imperfections. These sort of belt hooks were a very important sign of prestigious lifestyle in China from the 19th century and earlier. Jade was considered as a very valuable material which only the rich or the royal could access. But after the republic of course China became a mass producer of items of this sort which does actually belong to another time and century. This sort of items are precious nontheless since they do require a certain time and artistic effort to create them. Provenance: Was given to the owner by a friend's mother, who is now deceased. Condition: Perfect condition without any chips or cracks. 150-250$ Please don’t hesitate to reach us again for more online appraisals on your precious items, thank you for choosing Mearto.