A fine Chinese Yungai Turquoise Bead, Qing Dynasty, ca. 18th–19th century

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A finely polished spherical turquoise bead from the famed Yungai, or “Cloud Mountain,” mine in Hubei Province, China. The surface exhibits a rich matrix of blue-green turquoise vei ns mottled against a dark brown to black host rock, characteristic of the finest material from this now-exhausted deposit. Yungai turquoise was highly prized in China from the Ming through Qing periods for its vibrant color and tight, stable matrix, often used in court jewelry and Buddhist ritual adornments. Medium: Turquoise Dimensions: Diameter: 3/4 inch (19mm) Condition: Intact and in excellent condition with natural surface texture and minor encrustation consistent with age. Provenance: Private collection, acquired in Asia prior to 1980. Show more