HOT ! Carved Lavender Jade Pendant with Gourd and Flower / 14k Yellow Gold Amethyst Bail

Carved lavender jade pendant with amethyst set in 14k yellow gold. Not being Asian, it has always been difficult for me to decipher the carvings but I will detail what I see. This carved jade looks like a gourd with the sides carved in more detail. One side has a flower while the other looks like a squirrel climbing up. \"The large, tough fruit of the plant ‘Lagenaria siceraria, when dried and hollowed out makes a tough water-tight container. This cheap and useful gourd was used as a water container from ancient times in China (especially southern China where the plant grows best). It has also been used as a buoyancy aid for children. It formed an emblematic feature of the wandering Daoist adept to store his magic potions. Hù 护 sounds the same and means ‘protect while 祜 hù means ‘blessing. In legend, a Daoist master could be trapped in a gourd and later emerge just like the story of the genie and the magic lamp. By association a picture of a gourd fends off evil influences.The gourds are often painted, usually with flowers and leaves to match the organic shape of the gourd. A gourd is associated with one of the Eight Immortals Li Tie Guai 李铁拐 with wisps of white smoke emanating from the gourd indicating its contents - a magic potion. In a picture large 瓜 guā and small gourds 瓞 dié together with 蔓 màn ‘creeper (sounding like 万 wàn ‘numerous) represent a wish for numerous descendents 瓜瓞绵绵\"http://www.chinasage.info/symbols/flowersandfruit.htmChain sold separately.Gemstone: Carved Lavender JadeColor: Faint Mottled Purple with WhiteClarity: No surface reaching inclusionsMeasurements: 38.75 x 23.8 x 13.5 mmGemstone: AmethystsCut: Round FacetedColor: Medium Deep PurpleClarity: Eye CleanMeasurements: 2 @ 2.5-2.6 mmDimensions: 2\" x 1\" x .5\" (48.9 x 23.7 x 14.5 mm including bail)Metal: 14k Yellow Gold BailMaterial: Carved Natural Lavender Jade UnenhancedCirca: 1960 or olderCondition Rating: 7 (shows some light surface wear from age)Weight: 20.6 grams