More news about Sotheby’s Spring Sales. The auction house just announced it will sell a ceremonial court necklace from the Qing Dynasty, or chaozhu. The necklace made of fresh water pearls, matches one depicted in the formal portrait of Emperor Yongzheng (see photo) and it could actually be the same one. The flawless Eastern pearls were exclusively worn by the emperor and his family members and the ceremonial necklace would have been a sign of Manchu pride as well as a symbol of Imperial power. The photo caught my eyes because the Asian Civilisations Museum had a great exhibition last year on the Emperor Yongzheng's father, the Kangxi emperor (see
this IHT story)
