It is a beautiful articulated bracelet with six elements in silver filigree and ivory plaques carved and engraved to represent the mythical figure of He Xiangu 何仙姑, the only woman of the Eight Immortals in the pantheon of Taoism.
It is told she was born in Guangdong, in southern China, during the Tang era (618-907). Endowed with beauty, she was just an adolescent when she received in a dream the visit of a divine spirit who suggested her to feed on mother-of-pearl powder in order to preserve her body forever and become immortal.
She was one day summoned by Empress Wu Zetian to her palace in Beijing, but on the way she disappeared, giving rise to many stories and legends.
He Xiangu represents wisdom and pureness, she is a symbol of life and prosperity and is also the guardian of women and of household. For this reason her image was often depicted on jewels or other objects intended for women as an auspicious gift.