Chinese Export Vermeil Silver Enameled Dragon Fish Necklace. Apatite. 1980s.

This amazing Chinese necklace features an enameled Chiwen; also known as a dragon fish. The fish is made of nine separately hinged sections so she moves and wiggles realistically. The face is incredibly detailed sporting delightful curled whiskers. Notice the filagreed fins made of delicate vermeil silver. She is suspended from a strand of fine teal blue apatite beads with larger capped enameled accents. The dragon fish is fitted with a bail which means it can be detached and worn on a chain or just carried as a lucky Fengshui piece. The necklace closes with a vermeil silver clasp depicting a Chinese symbol for prosperity. Excellent condition aside from some minor enamel loss on the bottom of the tail shown in photo 6. Signed: Silver and 925. Length: 29 inches overall. The dragon fish measures 2.5 inches long by 1.25 inches wide. In Chinese lore the Chiwen dragon fish protects against fire, flood, and typhoons so carved depictions are often seen on the roofs of homes and other buildings in China. What an incredible piece of symbolic art to wear and display!