Exceptionally long silver grooming set (chatelaine) decorated with six medallions which are identical on both sides. Each of the medallions has a hidden meaning. There is a monkey with a peach which is a pun for ‘May you embrace Immortality’ and a squirrel and a melon which symbolize Prosperity and Much Offspring. Then there’s a ‘qilin’ with a book. A ‘qilin’ is a mythological creature with the body of a deer with scales, the tail of an ox, hooves of a horse and antlers, which had the same role as the stork (which delivers babies) in the Western world. When the ‘qilin’ is spitting out a (jade) book as in this depiction, it means ‘May you give birth to an illustrious son’ (linti yushu). Another medallion shows two ‘Buddhist Lions’ or ‘Fu dogs’ playing with a brocade ball which means ‘May you and your descendants achieve high rank’ (taishi shaoshi). A medallion with a scroll painting is one of the ‘Four Scholarly Pursuits’ and symbolizes a High Position. The painting depicts a butterfly (Blessings & Happiness) as well as an osmanthus flower (Distinguished sons). The largest medallion shows a pavilion with two scholars playing chess and a servant on either side. Chess is also one of the ‘Four Scholarly Pursuits’ and thus symbolizes a High Rank as well. But there are more hidden messages. A pair of fruits with auspicious meanings is attached to each medallion. For instance: Pomegranates (Many Children), Finger citrons (Blessings & Longevity), Mandarin Oranges (Good Fortune) and Peaches (Longevity). All four utensils have vine-like decorations as well as depictions of plum flowers (Five Blessings) and a lilies (Harmony & Unity). We believe that the utensils are more auspicious than functional with the exception of the ear scoop. Most probably the other three just have an auspicious meaning such as the axe (fu 福) which symbolizes Happiness and the halberd (ji 戟) which means ‘lucky’ (ji吉). We have not seen such a large and heavy grooming set of such quality before. It much have belonged to a wealthy owner and dates from the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). Total length 45 cm. Width largest medallion 4.2 cm. Width smallest medallion 2.9 cm.