Engraved silver plated hairpin decorated at the top with an embossed figure of a bat. The word ‘Bat’ (fu) has the same sound as the words for Blessings (fu) and Riches (fu). The bat is usually depicted upside down (dao) which leads to a pun for the word ‘Arrived’ (dao). An upside down bat therefore leads to the saying ‘Blessings have arrived’. In front of the bat on this hairpin are fruits such as a melon (Many children) and a peach (Longevity). The hairpin dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Length 15.9 cm. Width 1.7 cm.