1970s Post-Mao Yellow Jade Necklace

This late 1970s to early 1980s vintage Chinese export necklace is a treasured artifact from a pivotal moment in modern history. The pendant, a finely hand-carved persimmon fruit rendered in warm yellow nephrite jade, reflects the quiet return of traditional artistry following a decade of cultural erasure. During Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, artists were banned, workshops were shuttered, and centuries-old techniques were driven underground. Traditional motifs like this, rich in symbolism and tied to heritage, were forbidden.

32" (30" plus the 2" pendant)
113 grams. (4 oz)

In the years immediately after Mao’s death, a small number of artisans began cautiously reviving their craft. This piece emerged during that brief and fragile opening. Its dual-sided carving and refined detail are hallmarks of old-world skill reasserting itself after repression.

Far more than decorative, this necklace is a testament to the enduring power of beauty under authoritarian rule. For serious collectors, it offers not just aesthetic value, but also historical significance, a rare convergence of material excellence, political importance, and cultural endurance.

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