Prayer beads
12
China; 19th century (att.)
Collected by Phoebe A. Hearst, acc. 1909.
9-5628
Although this is catalogued as a set of Buddhist prayer beads, it is more probably an item of decorative jewelry called a "court chain." A typical Buddhist rosary consists of 108 prayer beads, which corresponds to the number of sinful desires that can be overcome by use of the beads. The kingfisher feathers on this chain, which symbolized happiness and marital fidelity, did not become common in Chinese headdresses, hairpins, and ear ornaments until the 19th century.
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