Small silver lock with the text ‘Chang Ming’ (Long life) on one side and ‘Fu Gui’ (Prosperity) on the other. Under the texts are Bats which symbolize Blessings and Riches. We believe that the creatures flanking the texts are ‘Dragon fishes’ which are mythical creatures with a dragon’s head and a fish tail. In fact they were thought to be fish which transformed into dragons after passing the ‘Dragon’s gate’ and they symbolize a wish to be successful during the Civil Service Examinations and achieve a ‘High status’. The lock is not marked and dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Width 3.6 cm. Height 3.2 cm. Depth 1.5 cm. Weight 10.6 grams.