19th Century Heidao Monkey Pendant carnelian and the demantoid garnet displays

and the demantoid garnet displays the typical vivid green and strong fire associated with these rare gemstones

set with diamond accents and finished in fine millegrain

and a bail for wear on a chain

depicting the Roman god Mercury riding through the sky on his chariot pulled by two roosters (creatures believed

19th Century Heidao Monkey Pendant carnelian and the demantoid garnet displaysDATE: Victorian, c. 1850 Known as heidao, the art of carving nuts and fruit pits into intricate three dimensional beads flourished during the Qing period (1644 1911), with artists continually trying to better themselves and their contemporaries both. Subjects would include the Chinese zodiac, Buddha, sages, animals, scenes from nature or legend, and they would typically use apricot kernels, peach, coquilla, or olive pits, walnuts, or myrica rubra