Silver ‘Occupation’ amulet showing several objects on a sieve. When a Chinese boy had his first birthday celebration, the family wanted to know what kind of future he would have when he grew up. To that purpose a number of objects representing various professions was placed on a large wooden bamboo sieve. The boy would then be placed in the centre of the sieve and the first object which he got hold off was supposed to foretell his destiny. The job of a tailor was represented by a scissors. An abacus or money scales meant that he would become a wealthy man. A ruler represented a cobbler and if he picked the book, he was destined to become a scholar. Occupation amulets such as this one were sewn on clothing to bring good fortune in the career and life of their owners. In the centre a mirror is depicted which symbolizes ‘together’ and is also used to frighten away evil spirits. The book on this talisman has the title ‘Tongshu’ which was a concise encyclopaedia written by the philosopher Zhou Dunyi (1017 – 1073). The amulet is illegibly marked on the ‘scales’ with the name of the maker. It dates from the late Qing period (1644 – 1912) or early years of the Republic Period (1912 – 1947). Diameter 2.6 cm. Depth 0.4 cm.