C306
Black and cream patterned Japanese kimono silk make up the pair of cords of this medium-length necklace.
An ox bone archer’s thumb ring joins the cords
and forms the central element of the necklace.
Chinese knots, horn, bone and pewter rings balance this design.
In ancient China, thumb rings were produced in different materials, including jade, horn, silver and bone.
They
were designed to protect the thumb of an archer when the bow string was pulled back.
Later, these rings became treasured objects collected by scholars. (DB 4160)