MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
TrendsApr 19, 2017
New Book Explores Silver Jewelry of the Late Qing Dynasty
“Bringing Heaven to Earth” explores an expansive private collection of carved and silver jewelry.
This is a close-up of an enameled court necklace, featured in “Bringing Heaven to Earth.” (Image courtesy of Paul Holberton Publishing)
New York--One historian has turned an inquisitive eye upon an expansive private collection of carved and silver jewelry from the late Qing dynasty.
“Bringing Heaven to Earth: Chinese Silver Jewellery and Ornament in the Late Qing Dynasty” explores works obtained by an unnamed prolific collector at North American art fairs between 2004 and 2012.
The author of the book is Elizabeth Herridge, former managing director of the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, Las Vegas and currently a London-based specialist art and arts management consultant.
Without any notation of the collection’s provenance, Herridge went about analyzing the individual works.
She established that the items are from the late Qing dynasty and slightly beyond, from approximately 1860 to 1930.
Examining a silver and amethyst brooch depicting Buddhist and Daoist figure Guanyin, a protector of young children, with a young boy, Herridge determined that the piece, which appears on the book’s cover, could have been influenced by Western depictions of the Madonna and child.
Catholic missionaries came to China in the 16th century and images of the Madonna influenced porcelain makers of the Fujian province, Herridge explains, making it likely that the brooch was from that region, though from a later date.
The carving of the amethyst is exceptional, Herridge notes, due to the stone’s softness.
It is with this investigative and thorough eye that Herridge disseminates the works featured in “Bringing Heaven to Earth.”
The overwhelming majority of the collection feature carvings that Herridge says are distinctly Chinese in that they were carved from the outside in, though for some of the works she says it's possible that they were produced with wealthy Western tourists of the era in mind.
Daoist and Buddhist motifs like Guanyin, such as the Eight Immortals and the Hehe Twins, abound. Herridge contemplates whether many of these symbols, which were thought to bring luck in the form of happy marriages or the birth of sons, were worn in faith or as a signal to society of a person’s intentions or character.
Gemstones like lapis lazuli, jade, tourmaline, amethyst, rock crystal, rose quartz, carnelian and serpentine feature as carving canvases, as does silver itself, which is noteworthy because silver is “not specifically Chinese in character,” Herridge says.
Ultimately, Herridge’s tome presents more questions
than answers, but expertly begins to unwind the complicated histories of the collection.
Published by Ianthe Press in collaboration with Paul Holberton Publishing, “Bringnig Heaven to Earth: Chinese Silver Jewellery and Ornament in the Late Qing Dynasty” features a foreword by Frances Wood and is available on the Paul Holberton website.
Published by Ianthe Press in collaboration with Paul Holberton Publishing, “Bringnig Heaven to Earth: Chinese Silver Jewellery and Ornament in the Late Qing Dynasty” features a foreword by Frances Wood and is available on the Paul Holberton website.
More on Trends
The Latest
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
CollectionsAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
