This Lunar new year will welcome the Year of the Dragon, which is considered to be the luckiest of all signs of the Chinese Zodiac. The timing of 2024, Lunar New Year begins on Feb. 10, 2024 with celebrations throughout the month of February. The year ends a Jan. 28, 2025.
Dragons have been a motif in ancient history and different cultures and civilizations and most often signified strength, protection fortune and prosperity. Additionally they often symbolized royalty and could be seen on regal family crests.
As far as the Chinese zodiac, those born in the Year of the Dragon are reported to natural leaders, confident, ambition and energic and unafraid to take risks.
As we get ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year, here are some antique, vintage and modern jewelry and timepieces to wear if you were born ‘a dragon’ or if you simply love the imagery and meaning behind it:
Anita Ko’s contemporary 18K gold Lucky Diamond Dragon Talisman with diamonds.
Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry’s early 20th century’s multidimensional sculpted, softly textured 18K yellow gold Dragon Brooch. the fierce mythical ruby-eyed creature has a diamond in it mouth.
Cece Jewellery’s 18K yellow gold pendant features a hand enameled dragon set amidst a sprinkling of diamond. As the auspicious symbol for 2024’s Lunar New Year this pendant embodies the essence of empowerment and prosperity.
Sylva & Cie’s 18K gold Hand Painted Dragon Pendant with diamond accents.
John Hardy’s most iconic motif, the Naga Dragon, that designer for the house Reed Krakoff has reimagined as he continues ushering the brand into its new era. The new Naga Dragon launches just in time for the Chinese calendar’s Year of the Dragon and is featured in 14K gold in a range of jewels. Here is the ultra long necklace that can be worn in a variety of looks.
Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery timepiece. The Dragon pays tribute to China, a country that Vacheron Constantin first traded with in 1845. The timepiece has a dial featuring a five-clawed imperial dragon and its pearl, realized in gorgeous green grisaille enamel, and a case entirely set with 146 baguette-cut diamonds. It is housed in a white gold case measuring 40 mm in diameter and 8.9 mm thick, paired with a dark green alligator leather strap secured by a gem set white gold pin buckle.
A L Vieille Russie’s antique oversized silver cigarette case with red enamel and gold medal of the St. George’s Society reading ‘S. Georgius Equitum Patronus’ (St. George Patron Saint of Knights). With a match compartment and wick, and a sapphire thumbpiece.Fabergé, Moscow, circa. 1895.
Bentley & Skinner’s antique Art Nouveau gold dragon stickpin with seed pearl accents.
Chopard’s L.U.C XP Dragon watch with Urushi lacquer artwork dial combined with gold powder and mother of pearl inlays, crafted in Japan using the Maki-e techniqueLimited edition: 88 in Ethical 18K rose gold.
S.J. Phillips’ vintage bracelet with opposing dragon heads in carved corallium rubrum each with pave diamond ball terminal, accented with square, circular and baguette cut diamonds, the back half in gold and blue enamel with snakeskin pattern, opening on a swivel turn at the back. French assay marks.
S.J. Phillips antique 18K gold panel bracelet with eight openwork oval gold links, each centered by a dragon head and neck, accented with diamonds, circa 1900. French assay marks.
Seal & Scribe’s contemporary version of an antique poison locket Double Dragon ring. It features an authentic antique Georgian intaglio seal containing two dragons facing in opposite directions, hand-carved into a tablet of bloodstone. In heraldry, the dragon symbolizes valor and protector of treasure. The entire 14K yellow gold surround and shoulders of the setting is engraved with dragon scales. The locket opens to reveal a secret message: ‘Thesaurum Cordis Tui Protégé’ or ‘Protect Your Heart’s Treasure’.
Jaeger-LeCoutre Dragon Enamel Reverso with engraved enamel background in 18K pink gold.