Silver and bronze, partly gilt, hairpin decorated with a tree stump with leaves, a chrysanthemum flower, a magpie and a pomegranate. The magpie and the chrysanthemum form the rebus ‘May the whole family be happy’ (jujia huanle). The magpie is a bird of joy and the word for chrysanthemum (juhua) resembles the word for ‘Whole family’ (jujia). The pomegranate with its many seeds symbolizes a wish for many descendants. We believe that this hairpin originally was even more lavishly decorated with fine chains from which auspicious objects dangled. Such fine chains can be seen elsewhere on this site. The workmanship of this hairpin is exceptionally fine. It dates from the early Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912) or may even be slightly earlier. Length 16.5 cm. Width at its widest point 2.4 cm. Depth 1.3 cm.