Three-pronged silver hairpin decorated with an enameled Butterfly (Blessings & Happiness). The ‘stem’ is embossed with a boy on a Cloud (the Granting of all Wishes) holding a Plum blossom (Five Blessings see 2986). The other boy ‘steps up’ which symbolizes the wish for career advancement and he waves a Fan (Longevity & Goodness). Next to him stands a bamboo stalk which symbolizes ‘Humility and Fidelity as well as Peace’. The hairpin dates from the late Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). Length 15.1 cm. Width 2.7 cm.