This grooming set is made of ‘Paktong’ instead of silver. This material is also called Baitong or Nickel Silver. Paktong (白銅) literally means ‘White copper’ and was used to imitate sterling silver. In fact it contains about 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc and no silver at all. It was first known in China during the Qing period (1644 – 1912) before it became fashionable in the West. Two swords which ward off evil spirits hang down from the top medallion which is engraved with a flower. The bottle-gourd one most probably contained medicine. Interesting is the bird whistle which is one of the five utensils. We have been told that it was used by the owner to lure back his pigeons. The other ‘tools’ consist of two picks, an ear scoop and a fork. The hook is attached to a gourd in openwork symbolizing Blessings and fertility. The grooming set dates from the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Total length 36 cm.