Silver lock decorated on one side with yet undefined flowers. Osmanthus flowers (Distinguished sons) are depicted on the top. On the other side of the lock is the text ‘Bai Jia Bao Suo’ (百家保锁) which means ‘Protected by a hundred families’. When a child was about three months old, it was usually given a silver, gold or jade amulet in the shape of a lock in the hope that the lock would tie the child down to prevent abduction by evil spirits. In some areas of China money would be donated by a hundred families to purchase a silver lock and consequently the child would then have the protection of these hundred families. This is such a lock. It is marked Shi Xing (世兴) who was most probably the silversmith who made it. The lock dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Width 4.2 cm. Height 2.2 cm. Depth 1.3 cm. Weight 16.3 grams.