What is the estimated value of this Qing Dynasty white jade pendant?

This Chinese carved white jade 'Fish' Chime pendant, dating to the Qing Dynasty (18th/19th Century), has an estimated market value of £600 - £900. This valuation is based on recent auction results for highly comparable pieces, including sales at Christie's and Tenmoku Auctions, considering its excellent condition and intricate craftsmanship.

What era is this Chinese carved jade pendant from?

This pendant is attributed to the Qing Dynasty, specifically the 18th or 19th Century. This period is considered a high point for Chinese lapidary arts, known for intricate carving and the use of high-quality jade. The stylistic analysis and iconography, including the 'Ji Qing You Yu' rebus, strongly support this attribution.

What condition is this Qing Dynasty jade chime in, and how does it affect its value?

The pendant is in excellent condition, showing no visible chips, fractures, or repairs, even in its delicate openwork sections. This exceptional state of preservation significantly enhances its desirability and value, as damage is common for pieces of this age and intricate design.

Where should I sell this Chinese white jade 'Fish' Chime pendant?

It is strongly recommended to sell this pendant through specialist UK auction houses such as Bonhams London, Lyon & Turnbull, or Woolley & Wallis. These venues have dedicated Asian art departments, attract international buyers, and provide professional cataloguing, maximizing the net proceeds while avoiding high international shipping costs.

Is the material of this Chinese jade pendant definitively identified as nephrite?

Visually, the pendant appears to be made of high-quality pale greenish-white nephrite jade, consistent with prized Hetian jade from the Qing Dynasty. However, a definitive identification of nephrite cannot be made from photographs alone and requires non-destructive physical testing, such as a specific gravity test. The valuation is contingent on the material being genuine nephrite.

What is the meaning behind the 'Ji Qing You Yu' rebus on this pendant?

The pendant's design forms the auspicious rebus 'Ji Qing You Yu' (吉庆有余). The V-shaped musical chime ('qing') is a pun for 'blessing' or 'celebration', while the pair of fish ('yu') symbolizes 'surplus' or 'abundance'. Together, they convey a wish for "an abundance of auspicious blessings," making it a popular and meaningful motif in Chinese art.

A Fine Carved White Jade 'Fish' Chime Pendant, 'Ji Qing You Yu', Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th Century

Estimated value: £600 - £900. A Fine Carved White Jade 'Fish' Chime Pendant, 'Ji Qing You Yu', Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th Century (Qing Dynasty (18th/19th Century)) — a researched valuation with cited comparable sales in Asian Art, from findthevalueof.com.

About this item

This finely carved plaque is an excellent example of a Chinese auspicious jade pendant from the Qing Dynasty, dating to the 18th or 19th century. It is made from a high-quality pale greenish-white jade, likely nephrite, a material deeply revered in Chinese culture for its beauty and symbolic association with purity, virtue, and immortality. The intricate design is not merely decorative but forms a sophisticated visual pun, or rebus, known as 'Ji Qing You Yu' (吉庆有余). The V-shape represents a musical chime (磬, qing), a pun for 'blessing' or 'celebration' (庆, qing), while the pair of fish (鱼, yu) below symbolizes 'surplus' or 'abundance' (余, yu). Together, they convey a wish for 'an abundance of auspicious blessings'. The exceptional quality of the openwork and relief carving is characteristic of the peak of lapidary arts achieved under imperial patronage during the High Qing period. Pendants like this were not just personal adornments but also served as status symbols and objects of scholarly contemplation. The market for high-quality Chinese jades from this period remains strong, with collectors valuing pieces that combine fine material, superior craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism. Near-identical examples have appeared at major international auctions, confirming the form and its desirability among connoisseurs.

How the value was reached

The valuation is based on analysis of recent auction results for comparable Chinese white jade 'Ji Qing You Yu' pendants from the Qing Dynasty. The primary anchors are a highly similar example that sold for $1,375 (£1,055) at Christie's in 2018, establishing the benchmark for a high-quality piece at a top-tier venue, and another similar chime that sold for $750 (£620) at Tenmoku Auctions in 2022, providing a more recent market level. The subject item's excellent condition supports a valuation in this range. Lower-priced comparables were noted but deemed to be of inferior quality or sold at non-specialist venues. Should you choose to sell at auction, a net return of approximately £480 - £765 can be anticipated after a typical seller's commission of 10-15%. A conservative reserve price of £480 (80% of the low estimate) would be appropriate.

Comparable sales

The chime is carved as a pair of fish confronted at the center, surrounded by pierced leafy lotus scrolls. The stone is of even pale greenish-white color. It is 5¼ in. (13.4 cm.) long. — sold for USD 1,375 (Christie's), 2018-07-18
Chinese Jade Carved Butterfly Shaped Chime, 19th C. — sold for Sold $750 (Tenmoku Auctions Inc.), 2022-12-28
This is a Chinese Antique White Jade Pendant, approximately 80-150 years old, in good condition. It features carvings of fish and bats, which represent auspicious meanings of good luck and wealth. The pendant's dimensions are about 90x65 mm. It was collected in Hong Kong from a private collector in Asia. — sold for $128.93 (Etsy), 2026-01-26

Expert notes

The valuation is contingent on the material being genuine nephrite jade. The visual characteristics are strongly indicative of nephrite, but this cannot be confirmed without physical testing. A definitive material identification is the single most critical factor for this item's value. Before any sale, it is essential to have the piece examined in-hand by a specialist in Chinese jades or to perform a non-destructive specific gravity test to confirm the material.

This report is one of the worked examples in our guide What is your jade worth?.