Amulets, Pendants and Medallions

Medallions and pendants are ubiquitous in Asia. I search for and only buy those that I consider unusual or unique, and if also beautiful, all the better. 

Antique Chinese jade amulets

Ching dynasty amulet, approx. 300 years old
2 1/2 x 2 x 1/4 inch / 6 x 4 x 0.5 cm
Price (includes shipping):
$50 / 1,200 THB

Chinese jade amulet (Serving tea to the master), age unknown.
2 x 1 1/2 x 1/4 inch / 5 x 4 x 0.5 cmPrice (includes shipping):
$40 / 1,000 THB

Rare Burmese jade butterfly pendant.
2 ¼ x 3 ¾ in / 5.5 x 9.5 cm
Estimated age: 150 years
Price: 2,000 THB local / $80 (includes air shipping)

CHINESE BURIAL JADE

These unusual pieces are from China where they were used as good luck amulets buried with a loved one. The age of these cannot be authenticated, at least not by me, but they appear to be worn down in most places, which would be expected. According to the person who sold them to me in a Hong Kong jade bazaar, they are over 90 years old, but he did not know exactly. I looked them over carefully with a magnifying loupe, and accept what he said. Local people buy from him, so I felt that it was a good buy. For the most part, I bought them not for their antiquity, but for their uniqueness.

The design is the same on both sides of each piece.

Striking burial amulet of animal head. Vendor says it is of a cow.
w = 2 ¼ in / 5 ½ cm
l = 1 ¾ in / 4.3 cm
thickness = ⅝ in / 1.5 cm
Price: US$ 55 includes air shipping / 1,620 THB includes shipping

Unusual design representing 9 dragons.
w = 1 ¾ in / 4.3 cm
l = 2 ½ in / 6.3 cm
thickness = ⅜ in / 1 cm Price: US$ 55 includes air shipping / 1,620 THB includes shipping

Water motif with water spirit and fish.
w = 1 ⅜ in / 3.5 cm
l = 2 in / 5 cm
thickness = ⅝ in / 1.5 cmPrice: US$ 55 includes air shipping / 1,500 THB includes shipping

"All Powerful Ten" Tibetan Buddhist symbol
Nepal silver pendant

Good luck & World peace symbols used in initiation ceremonies for Dalai lamas.
Price: $40 / 1000 THB (includes shipping)

Unusual bronze medallion of a boar mounting a tiger. This was an image from a dream that the artist had. The Thai script above the animals is a mantra for good luck and wealth.
                                 

Reverse is a mantra in ancient script.

Price: 400 THB / $20 (includes airmail shipment)

Three brass entwined geckos, symbol of harmony and good luck. From Wat Magok in Thailand. Inscription is in ancient Khmer (Cambodian).
Price: 400 THB / $20 (includes airmail shipment)

Ganesh medallion from the Thailand Ministry of the Arts. 

Price: 300 THB / $15 (includes airmail shipment)

Reverse has the Hindu "om" symbol and Chinese zodiac.

1 in square / 2.8 cm x 2.8 cm
Price: 400 THB / $20 (includes air shipment) 

Silver Ganesh pendant with Hindu "om" script and swastika (From the sanskrit meaning "It is good").

Usually associated with the horrors of Nazi Germany, the swastika dates back to ancient times. Still seen in Himalayan regions of India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan (and even in the designs of southwest USA native American tribes), it is a symbol of good luck and prosperity.