Because they were so cheerful, they became a symbol of Harmony and Unity during the Qing Dynasty. The hairpin is also decorated with Shou characters (Long Life), Endless Knots (Happiness & Long Life) and Swastikas (Infinity). A butterfly (Blessings & Happiness) embraces the whole scene. The hairpin is marked Rui Ji (瑞記) who may have been the silversmith or retailer and the mark ‘zu wen’ (足纹) which means ‘silver’. It dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Length 11.1 cm. Width 3.3 cm.