Because of the small 12-14mm diameter and possible age of the silver gilt round beads, they could have been part of the 108 beads in a Mandarin Court Necklace. This type of enamel work is more often found in the tabular bead, a counter weight suspended in back.

The thing is, the work is refined but does not project well. In person, these would seem rather dull -perhaps because they are small and tarnished. In any case, the detail is meticulous; I feel it was made for descriminating taste and therefore an indication of the wearer's status in Chinese society.