Tree Pendant Necklace

Meet the perfect tree necklace, featuring a large statement pendant crafted from an upcycled brooch and recycled silver sheet. This necklace combines sustainability with bold style, creating a unique and eye-catching accessory.

This piece is apart of the Story Collection. It's story can be found here:

Empress Wu Zetian was the only female emperor of the Tang Dynasty. She achieved this status through marriage to Emperor Gaozong, and after his death, through her sons, Emperors  Zhongzong and Ruizong. Before she became Empress, though, she was the daughter of a wealthy man who encouraged her to have an education, something uncommon for women at the time. This education gave her a strong mind, and by the time she reached adolescence, she had blossomed into a beautiful, intelligent woman. 

Zhang Wei worked as a gardener of the not-yet-Empress’ estate, and could often be found sitting in the shade of the bonsai trees that grew in the palace's garden. Wu Zetian, who had been restricted from the normalities of teen dating due to her family's status, had never been in love before. Thus, it made sense that when she first saw Zhang Wei relaxing in the grove, a boy of her age, she fell instantly in love. The two spent every moment they could together, Zhang Wei teaching Wu Zetian about the flora and fauna of her family garden, and Wu Zetian reciting to Zhang Wei the stories she read in her studies. They went for long walks along the perimeter of the garden, admiring the natural beauty and nurturing their blossoming love. 

Wu Zetian’s father, who had eyes and ears all over the palace, was furious when he learned of his daughter's indiscretions. He fired Zhang Wei, banishing him from their country, and locked Wu Zetian in a wing of their estate only accessible from the inside. On the eve of Zhang Wei’s exile, he snuck to the sole window of his lover's bedroom and gently knocked. Wu Zetian appeared, glowing from the candlelight, and was brought to tears by the sight of him. They knew this would be the last time they ever saw each other. Zhang Wei reached up and removed a necklace from around his neck, placing it in Wu Zetian’s hand. 

“So you will always remember me.” He said, kissing her hand gently before disappearing into the darkness. Wu Zetian looked down upon the silver pendant and saw it was engraved with a bonsai tree, much like the one she had first seen him sitting under. 

Though she grew to be a powerful Empress, Wu Zetian never forgot the feeling of Zhang Wei’s kiss upon her hand.