Archer's Ring with Taoist Symbols (清 扳指)
In Manchu archery, the bowstring is pulled back with the thumb of the right hand, making a thumb ring essential both to protect the thumb and to ensure a smooth release of the arrow. In addition to their practical function, thumb rings were also worn regularly as personal adornment. All Manchu archers, even the highest ranking aristocrats, favored plain thumb rings of bone or antler for use in hunting and warfare. At other times, however, they wore thumb rings that were highly decorated and made of fragile or precious materials, such as jade, amber or ivory.
Each of this ring's four panels is carved with symbols representing one of the Eight Immortals and one of the Eight Precious Objects of Taoism.
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