Small silver plated bronze hairpin of the ‘ruyi-type’. The top is in the form of the 'head' of a Ruyi scepter which symbolizes that everything a person wishes for will come true. In its centre is a Shou symbol (Longevity). The stem is decorated with flowers which may be Peach Blossoms and Swastikas (Ten Thousand or Infinity). A Shou symbol and Swastikas are a pun for ‘May you have ten thousand long lives without any limit’ (wanshou wujiang). Swastikas and Peach blossoms contain almost exactly the same hidden message (wanshou wuji). The Swastika stands for ‘Infinity’ or ‘Without limit’ and the Peach blossoms (taohua) and Shou symbol symbolize Longevity. Most of the silver on this hairpin has been rubbed off. Even though it is not silver, there is a mark on the back. The mark is however illegible. Perhaps this was done on purpose and was the original intention to pass it off as real silver. It dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Length 7.2 cm. Width 1.8 cm.