Chinese Qing Dynasty, Carved ChenXiang court necklace, ChaoZhu beads. Court necklace comprised of well strung 108 natural round shape ChenXiang beads accented by four larger carved jadeite beads. Encircled toward the center red coral Fotou connecting to a golden-yellow ribbon suspending oval shaped lapis-lazuli pendant, followed by the central back-cloud (BeiYun) jadeite gourd shaped pendant. Additional three strings of ten jadeite beads each suspending a similar lapis-lazuli pendants, with a floral bead caps before a red coral bead. Notes: Chaozhu beads are a Buddhist prayer beads are a traditional tool used to count the number of times a mantra is recited, breaths while meditating, counting prostrations, or the repetitions of a buddha's name. Buddhist tradition counts the beads at 108, the number is attributed to the Mokugenji (soapberry seed) Sutra wherein Shakyamuni Buddha instructed King Virudhaka to make such beads and recite the Three Jewels of Buddhism prayer beads are often painted in pigment, various traditional schools attribute a consecration ritual by the Sangha to the beads, to "open the eyes" for the purpose of achieving Enlightenment unique to the Karma of each believer. In Tibetan Buddhism of 108 beads are used These mantras can be recited for different purposes linked to working with mind. These beads can be made from the wood of Ficus religiosa (bo or bodhi tree), or from "bodhi seeds", which come from rudraksha. the beads themselves called "moon and stars" by Tibetans, and variously called "lotus root", "lotus seed" and "linden nut" The bead itself is very hard and dense, ivory-colored (which gradually turns a deep golden brown with long use), and has small holes (moons) and tiny black dots (stars) covering its surface. Within the Buddhist tradition, this repetition of the beads serves to remind practitioners of the teaching that it is possible to break the cycle of birth and death. Measurements: Length:50 1/4"