Silver lock decorated on one side with a boy, with a Lingzhi fungus over his shoulder, sitting on a qilin. A boy riding a qilin is a pun ‘May the Qilin bring you a son’ (qilin songzi). The Qilin is a mythical creature that has the same role as the stork in the West. On the left is a depiction of a Butterfly, symbol of Blessings and Joy. On the other side of the lock are four Chinese characters which form the expression ‘Chang Ming Fu Gui’ (Long Life and Prosperity). The lock has an illegible hallmark. It dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Width 6.6 cm. Height 4.9 cm. Depth 1.2 cm.