Chow Tai Fook Wu Lou (Gourd) Gold Leaf Ingot Charm
Jewelry (Pendant/Charm/Amulet) · Chow Tai Fook (周大福), the world's largest jewelry retailer by market value, headquartered in Hong Kong. Renowned for high-purity gold and traditional Chinese motifs.
Pattern: Wu Lou (Gourd) Fortune Series. Features the 'Zhaocai Jinbao' (招財進寶) combined character and 'Endless Knot' (Pan Chang) symbol.
Type
Jewelry (Pendant/Charm/Amulet)
Maker
Chow Tai Fook (周大福), the world's largest jewelry retailer by market value, headquartered in Hong Kong. Renowned for high-purity gold and traditional Chinese motifs.
Material
Vermeil/Gold-wrapped resin. Contains a thin architectural-grade 24K gold foil or leaf insert encased in a protective amber-colored acrylic or resin shell. Includes a yellow cord and base-metal bell.
Dimensions
Approx. 3cm x 2cm; extremely lightweight (less than 5 grams total) due to the resin composition and thinness of the gold leaf.
Description
This charming decorative item is a modern talisman designed in the shape of a Wu Lou (bottle gourd), a classic symbol of health and wealth in Chinese culture. The centerpiece is a shimmering 24-karat gold foil medallion encased in a warm, amber-toned resin that mimics the look of honey or traditional medicine jars. The intricate typography on the foil represents a 'lucky character' cluster intended to attract prosperity. It serves as both a cultural amulet and a stylish accessory for daily use.
Key Features
Distinctive Wu Lou shape; amber-tinted resin casing; 24K gold foil insert with combined 'Zhaocai Jinbao' character; accompanying gold-toned prosperity bell.
Material & Composition
Vermeil/Gold-wrapped resin. Contains a thin architectural-grade 24K gold foil or leaf insert encased in a protective amber-colored acrylic or resin shell. Includes a yellow cord and base-metal bell.
Finish & Decoration
Bright-cut die-struck gold foil. The top section features an endless knot symbolizing longevity, while the bottom contains the 'Zhaocai Jinbao' idiom meaning 'Bringing in wealth and treasure.' Textured matte background with high-polish relief.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No visible hallmarks in image; typically such gold-foil items bear a small laser-engraved 'CTF' or '999' on the jump ring or are sold with a certificate of authenticity rather than a metal stamp on the foil itself.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed gold foil sandwiched between two layers of injection-molded acrylic. The jump ring is machine-closed, and the decorative bell is attached via a standard loop.
Functional Features
Phone charm or bag accessory. Features a small jingling bell designed to alert the wearer and 'activate' luck. Includes a loop for attachment to electronics or zippers.
Handle & Grip Details
Attached via a braided gold-tone synthetic thread cord with a slip-loop for fastening. Includes a metallic-finished bell.
Craftsmanship Details
Die-struck precision on the gold foil; high-clarity resin casting with no air bubbles; machine-assembled cordage. This is a high-quality mass-produced luxury promotional item.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic Chow Tai Fook font for the 'Zhaocai Jinbao' character; high-quality alignment of the gold foil within the resin; standard metallic-finish bell used by CTF in promotional gift lines.
Origin & Manufacturing
Hong Kong/Mainland China. Produced in high-volume workshops in Shenzhen or Shunde under Chow Tai Fook's quality control standards.
Era & Period
Contemporary Chinese (21st Century). Part of the modern revival of Ming/Qing dynasty auspicious symbolism for the gift-giving market.
Age Estimate
c. 2015–2023. This specific style of acrylic-encased gold foil charm has been highly popular as a Chinese New Year 'lai see' (red envelope) gift in the last decade.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Feng Shui' tradition of using symbols to attract positive energy (Qi). The gourd is a powerful symbol of longevity and the warding off of illness.
Condition Notes
Excellent to Mint. No visible scratches on the resin; the gold foil is undisturbed and protected from oxidation. The cord shows no fraying. Grade: Excellent.
Value Estimate
$30 – $65 USD. The value lies primarily in the brand name and symbolic gift value rather than the intrinsic gold weight, which is minimal.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a damp microfiber cloth only. Avoid chemicals or alcohol which can craze the acrylic resin. Do not expose to high heat, which may cause the resin to yellow or the foil to delaminate.
Similar Pieces
Lukfook Jewelry Gold Gourd Pendants (often solid 999 gold rather than foil); Chow Sang Sang 'Petite' series. Solid gold versions are significantly heavier and lack the resin coating.
Interesting Facts
The Wu Lou shape is used by Taoist monks to 'trap' evil spirits and store medicinal elixirs. Today, these charms are frequently given by banks or jewelry stores to VIP clients during the Lunar New Year.