Antique Chinese silver apron chain with goldfish – (0334)

Silver neck chain and attachment hooks which are decorated with goldfish. The Goldfish (jinyu) is a pun for Gold (jin) and Jade (yu) and therefore symbolic for Riches which also explains why so many Chinese have goldfish in their house or shop. The pair of fancy goldfish at the ends of the chain have hooks which went into buttonholes at the top op the apron. Aprons started to be popular during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1912) and they remained fashionable in the centuries after. The chain is marked with the name Yin Qi Lou (银器楼) which probably was the silversmith who made it. It dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Total length chain 47.5 cm. Hooks: Width 3.2 cm. Height 2.7 cm. Depth 0.6 cm. Final shipping cost will be based on actual postage. The difference in postage, if any, will be reimbursed.