Description
A rare Chinese ivory abstinence pendant, 18th century. Constructed as a reticulated rectangular box, finely carved with birds perched on prunus, on side with the characters zhai jie in Chinese, the other side with bolgomi karga in Manchu characters, 6cm. (2)
The characters on both sides mean 'to fast'. These pendants were worn by court ladies during periods of fasting or at other times to indicate abstinence to their husbands.
