This is a necklace composed of large spherical wood beads supporting an antique Chinese kingfisher feather ornament also mounted on wood; a necklace composed from antique Chinese wood prayer beads The technique and the beautiful blue fluorescent feathers were highly prized and sought after in 19th century China. The beading work is done in San Francisco. Kingfishers are tiny birds and it takes a lot of skill to use their feathers in this manner. The technique, called tian-tsui, means "dotting with kingfishers" and involves adhering the feathers onto metal. This technique disappeared ...