Featured Large Coral Disc in Brass Fish-Themed Pendant, Apparently Asian

The story goes like this: I apparently gave this to my eldest granddaughter...although I not only have no recollection of such giving, an' even more surprisingly no memory of ever possessing the pendant! I love the person dearly, but I don't believe if I had owned it, I'd have passed it on to her. Anyway...

The coral is ~1 3/8" diameter; the pendant is ~3" tall & ~2 1/8" across the fish; the pendant weighs one ounce.

Aside from that lovely chunk of coral, the back, with its pair of geese or ducks, is most fascinating to me! The joining of the back with the bezel for the coral an' the high-relief, hollow fish is very finely done, with no evidence of ordinary solder...the color of brass is uniform at that edge-seam, with no hint of how the joint was accomplished. There is considerable wear across the back...from textile an'/or human skin, over time. Also of interest is the small central features on the face of the coral, tho' I can't say with any confidence what it may represent.

Perhaps some of you with superior experience an' skills in Asian jewelry will be able to tell what I (or Elizabeth) have here? Thanks for lookin'!

 

has a Japanese vibe to it..

 

My initial thought was Chinese...but now wouldn't be surprised to learn one of the Himalayan countries was the origin. @Any Jewelry will surely spot it accurately.

 

@wlwhittier, on the back of that pendant, where I've circled, in the upper one - it looks sort of like a mark or might be saying 7K---BUT might just be the goose's eye!! In the lower circle I thought it said 77, but on enlargement it sort of partially disappeared.......



​

 

It's the pin that holds the 2 parts together.

 

Chinese or Himalayan.

 

Probably Nepali. The coral is dyed. It probably has many siblings.

 

I was thinking Indian but Nepal makes sense.

 

Nope...a 10X triplet puts the lie to that; it's simply a deeply stamped circular punch-mark.

 

Thanks...I like the Nepali origin. Is your clue to it being dyed the worn spot at 9 o'clock, where white shines through?
What do you mean by 'many siblings'...is it a 'mass' produced pattern? Can you offer an approximate age for the piece, AJ? Any thoughts about the centerpiece on the coral...or the fish...in terms of significance?

 

The general look as well as the artificial red colour, unlike natural coral. It is probably bamboo coral, naturally white, that has been dyed. Not precious coral.

Yes, mass produced.

Fairly recent. Similar pieces are still being made, probably the same ones too. It is an industry that I don't follow, so I don't know the exact designs, just the general look and materials used.

Red coral, and the colour red in general, is connected with feminine qualities of any kind in Himalayan culture. A bit like Yin in Chinese culture.
Nepali spirituality is a mostly mix of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The fish in this case is a Hindu symbol. It is the symbol of Matsya, the first avatar of Vishnu, but also of water, which is life giving, cleansing, and ever flowing, and of fertility, abundance and beauty.

 

Thank you sincerely for a most comprehensive response to my many questions, AJ! I am grateful!

 

You're welcome, whit.