Chinese Bangle

A creamy white stripe crosses the brown body like a river on a map.

This agate bangle is from China, and is contemporary. Chinese lapidaries have cut and polished hard stones for centuries, and bangles carved from a single block or ring of stone are a long-standing form. A wide, softly domed bangle in caramel and brown tones. A thin, wavy white line runs around the outer surface, dividing darker and lighter bands. The finish is polished, with a small scratch near the inner edge.

Its single pale stripe is surprisingly self-possessed.