Chinese openwork cloisonne dragon beads | |||||
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At first I thought these beads were made in the 1970s, but I now think they date to pre-WWII, as they so closely match the dragon design and enamels found in Chinese cloisonné dragon beads used in costume jewelry from the 1930-early40s. Madame Chiang Kai-shek's visits to the US, especially the one in 1943, inspired fashion designers.
The beads measure less than 12mm - about 11.6-11.8, vertically hole-to-hole. Holes are large, 4mm.
That someone possessed the craftsmanship (and manual dexterity!) to make a whole matching set of such small beads is impressive, I think.
Japanese cloisonné beads (approx 14x15mm) strung on red inro cord for comparison.
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