Walnuts, Pair of Matched Rare Gourd Shaped Netsuke

Pair of Matched Rare Gourd Shaped Chinese Walnut Collection Netsuke w Fine Shape

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Why walnut?
Once popular toys in China’s imperial court, walnuts — which when rotated in one’s palm are thought to stimulate blood circulation — are making a comeback among the wealthy, some of whom see them as not only a way to spend their cash, but also as a distinctly Chinese status symbol.

Walnut playing has 2,000 years of history in China. The trend first emerged in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) and became very popular in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Among the upper levels of society, a pair of good collectible walnuts was a symbol of taste and social rank. Many noble people collected top walnuts and gave them to members of the imperial families to show their greetings and faithfulness.

Is this the walnut used for food source?
No, this type of walnut has the thickest shell with no meat inside and is not used as food source.

Collection and value?
Similar to the fact that there are no identical snow flakes exist in nature, get two identical walnuts as pair is almost impossible. Therefore, walnut collectors are obsessed with pairs shares high similarities (pattern, height, wideness, base). In addition, like other seed like beads from nature, it will develop a shinning coating and become very smooth as you play it in your hand each day. Antique walnut has very high trading value and are perfect for artistic home decoration.

Please feel free to ask me any questions.