One of the ends of this silver hairpin is decorated with plum blossoms and the other end with a budding peony. The plum flower with its five petals symbolizes the Five Blessings, Old age, Good health, Wealth, Love of virtue and a Peaceful death. The peony represents Wealth & honor. The hairpin is marked Yuan Xing (元 兴) who may have been the silversmith or retailer and it dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Length 9.2 cm. Width 1 cm.