Vintage Set of Bronze Phoenix and Dragon Letter Openers Hsi Pendants from the National Palace Museum | Vintage Letter Openers | buy Bronze Hsi

A wonderful vintage souvenir from the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, this set of letter openers come in their original box. Crafted from bronze in the shape of a phoenix and a dragon, these beautiful pieces would make a wonderful addition to any collection of letter openers.

Inside the box reads:
Bronze Letter Opener in the Shape of a Dragon/Phoenix Hsi Pendant
The design of this letter opener has its origin in a jade dragon/phoenix Hsi pendant of the Warring States (403-221 B.C.) now in the collection of the National Palace Museum. The Hsi looks like an arched bodkin, with one end obtuse and the other unblunted. In Paleolithic times this handy implement was made of either ivory, bone, or horn; it was not until the neolithic period when jade emerged as an alternative material for production. In addition to functioning as an instrument for "untying knots," as delineated by Hsü Shen in his Shuo-Wen Chieh-Tzu, the Hsi also had a decorative purpose to serve. As a matter of fact, the Warring States saw buy a growing popularity of the Hsi as a personal adornment, as well as a multiplication of motifs and pattern in its design. A case in point is the original upon which this rendition is based; its S-shaped, stylized design simultaneously exhibits both the elegant and dynamic qualities, making it a ver delicate piece of jade carving.

The letter openers are in excellent vintage/used condition and appear to have never left the original box. There is a bit of wear on the box from age and storage, but in wonderful condition. Please see all photos for condition.

Each opener measures approx. 7" long
Overall box measures approx. 8 3/4" tall x 6" wide x 1" deep