The serenity of Buddha is captured in this old jade glass element. It is set into a temple shaped panel, enameled in black. The panel itself is antique, struck in the 1920s and has an exquisite engine turned reverse side. The chain has four double sided links, outlined in black enamel and mounted with vintage square stones in the color of the jadeite glass Buddha. Dimensions: Chain: 25" Buddha pendant: 1" x 1.75" Finished in hand burnished silver. Made in our Los Angeles studio. 

"Buddha" means "awakened one" or "the enlightened one." In the Buddhist tradition, one aspires to handle difficult situations with a positive or peaceful mindset.

You ask -- where did we get the glass elements? Decades ago, I had the good fortune of acquiring crates of never-used jewelry parts, circa 1900 - 1940. Still wrapped in their delicate tissue, packed in crumbling paper boxes, we regard each piece as a little treasure, each as an emissary of its illustrious place in fashion history. Interesting to ponder that they're seeing the first light of day after 75+ years in a box... Btw, the last photo is an example of what these fragile old boxes look like...

The look and movement of Art Deco jewelry was influenced by the 1920s and 30s fascination with all things Asian. The mystique of the Orient dominated fashion and decor of those decades and the style was called "Chinoiserie." In the jewelry world, glass workshops of Czechoslovakia created these exquisite elements to echo ancient Chinese carved gemstones.