This carved mammoth ivory horse netsuke is beaded with 8 mm natural Chinese turquoise to make a one of a kind necklace. The horse is 1 1/2” tall by 1” wide, is nicely carved and is signed on the bottom of his hoof by the artist who carved him. The entire necklace is 22 1/2” around and is finished with a large 18k gold vermeil clasp. If needed I can adjust the length of this necklace.

The horse has been represent in Chinese art for a very long time. The horse is symbolic of courage, nobility, wisdom and love. It is worn as amulet to bring good luck, especially in love affairs. Those born in the year of the horse are usually well liked, intelligent, self-reliant and passionate. It is also a symbol for job promotion. The legend of the eight horses of Mu Wang is often used as a decorative motif.

The netsuke is a miniature carving, usually less than two inches high, created by Japanese and Chinese artists for over three hundred years. They portray every aspect of their life and culture, as well as characters from Japanese folk stories. These carvings were traditionally used to prevent the cord attached to a gentleman's medicine box or tobacco pouch from slipping through the belt of his kimono. Today, they are highly collectible works of art. Traditionally, netsukes have been carved from mammoth and elephant ivory, ebony, fossil walrus tusk, mahogany, rosewood and hippopotamus tooth. The netsukes, often signed by the artist, are getting harder to find as the detail in each piece takes patience and time and the younger Chinese are not so interested in pursuing this art form. . Many of these pieces are displayed in museums and demand high prices at art auctions - from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on the quality of the carving and the artist.

Turquoise is the birthstone of December as well as the zodiacal stone for Sagittarius. It is believed to attract wealth, love and power. Chinese turquoise is known for its variation of color variation as wells as the beautiful patterns on the stones. The colors can range from a deep blue green to a green and even a brown. It often has patterns of brown or black in the natural stone. Jewelry made using Chinese turquoise can be worn with many colors and styles. The beautiful rich colors of the stones makes for a very dramatic piece of jewelry and a fashion statement. Turquoise is always in fashion throughout the seasons and over the years.

Mammoth Ivory comes from tusk of the extinct mammoth elephant that lived on the Earth from about 4.8 million to 4,500 years ago (Pliocene era). Because they are extinct they are not endangered and therefore, are legal and save the African elephant. The artisans that carved elephant ivory are now carving mammoth ivory that is recovered in Siberia. Using mammoth ivory encourages the preservation of the African elephant.