STORY PANEL PENDANTS

In 2005, I did an internship in Beijing. Poking around the vintage flea markets quickly became my go-to hobby. One of my favorite finds was a vintage hand-etched scrimshaw storytelling panel bracelet.

Scrimshaw is a traditional folk art that involves carving or etching intricate scenes into materials like bone, shell, or ivory.

The bracelet was made of tile-like panels, each with its own vignette inspired by traditional Chinese flora and fauna. Birds, frogs, turtles, and other symbols represented everything from good luck to longevity.

The shape and imagery echoed a vintage Mahjong tile aesthetic, borrowing heavily from the “Flower” and “Season” tiles.

The bracelet never fit quite right, but I loved it too much not to wear it somehow. So we carefully took it apart and set each storytelling panel into its own bronze pendant setting. I kept one for myself and one for my best friend Rosie, who did the internship with me.

The rest of these one-of-a-kind keepsakes are available to you. Once they are gone, they are gone.