Silver lock engraved with Longevity symbols and the text ‘protection from a hundred families’ (bai jia bau you). 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. On one side is a round Shou medallion which is a pun ‘May you have Longevity as well as Completeness (yuanman). The circular shape (yuan) means Completeness. Also engraved are a Chinese chess game board and a wrapped musical instrument called ‘Qin’ which are two of the ‘Four Scholarly Pursuits’ symbolizing a High Position. The lock dates from the late Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). Width 7.8 cm. Height 4.5 cm. Depth 2.4 cm.