Jade Archer Ring

Vintage jadeite archer ring carved with nine dragons coiling the core saddle (US 11.5).

The jade is a mottled green, with emerald green centred at the outer rim.

Unless having a keen eye, it is hard at first sight to realise the carving intentionally subsumes the saddle (ring).

This wonderful aesthetic (of the carver) not only obscures the saddle, but takes pride in doing so with details that converge upon itself.

In a small space the feat of fitting nine dragons becomes a finer art.

Everything is well delineated yet the carving is an illusive art: not seeking the favour, just staging the imagination.

One face of the ring has five dragons, the other side has four dragons.

The ‘nine dragons’ symbolism is associated with the dynamic forces in Daoism. 9 is also the biggest ‘yang’ number.

Even for an archer ring, this one is unconventional.

Idiosyncratic art has a way of doing away with reason, the loss of familiarity replaced by the honing of insight.

As you wear or study the piece in your hand, you will grow to understand its place in personal ornaments.

Comfort gains a new meaning.

The thickest part (centre) of the carving is 18mm; in between fingers the two sides are 15mm and 13mm.

Internal diameter of the ring is 21mm.

If the core ‘saddle’ is your thumb ring size, the rest will take care of itself.