Older lapis lazuli silver pendant

An older pendant from a Tibetan jewelry collection.

The pendant consists of a large, deep blue trapezoidal lapis lazuli set in silver . The back is elaborately chased with the lucky symbol conch shell (Tib. དུང་, dung) .

The piece comes from an extensive collection of Tibetan jewelry from the 19th and 20th centuries and was probably never worn. Both the quality of the lapis lazuli and the silver workmanship are exceptionally high.

Dimensions:

• Height (incl. eyelet): 4.6 cm
• Width: 2.5 cm
• Eyelet diameter: 3 mm

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue, opaque semi-precious stone that has been prized for its beauty and spiritual properties for thousands of years. Its name comes from the Latin lapis (stone) and the Arabic lazaward (sky or blue). The stone is said to promote intuition, communication and inner peace by supporting the third eye and throat chakra. It helps to calm the mind, create harmony and ward off negative energies.

The conch shell (Tib. དུང་, dung) is one of the eight Tibetan symbols of good fortune and symbolizes spiritual power, enlightenment and the spreading of the Buddha's teachings. Originally used as a ritual wind instrument, it stands for the awakening sound of the Dharma, which dispels ignorance and spreads wisdom. In Tibetan art, the conch shell is often depicted with ornate decorations made of silver or precious stones and is regarded as a protective symbol of purity and spiritual guidance.