This beautifully carved teak wood horse netsuke is 2 1/4” long  long by 1 1/4” wide.  The horse drops 3”  from a black natural leather adjustable cord with a carved serpentine dragon in between to make this a unique pendant.  Large enough to gather attention  this horse is light in weight.

The dragon is the imperial emblem of the Emperors in China, especially from the from the Han period where their coat of arms shows two dragons fighting for the fiery pearl.  The dragon is a supernatural creature and is the symbol of power, strength, wisdom and goodness.  It represents the utmost in accomplishment: good luck and a successful life. It is also believed to be the guardian of hidden treasures.  It represents the spirit of growth and change.

Serpentine is often called new jade. It can occur in a variety of colors including red, green, brown-red, brown-yellow and white. It was often carried as an amulet for protection against witchcraft and evil spirits in ancient times.  

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.