Very delicate silver apron chain with rounded attachment hooks decorated with plum flowers. The plum flower attachments at the ends of the chain have hooks which went into buttonholes at the top of an apron. A Plum flower has five petals which symbolize the Five Blessings, Old age, Health, Wealth, Love of Virtue and a Peaceful death. Aprons started to be popular during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and they remained fashionable in the centuries thereafter. Attached to the chain are two charms, a lock and a gong. The Lock was worn in the hope that it would tie down the person wearing it and thus prevent abduction by evil spirits. It is decorated with a Plum flower which has five petals symbolizing the Five Blessings (see above). The fineness of the chain makes us believe that the chain once may have belonged to a young girl. It dates from the late Qing (1644 - 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Total length 43 cm. Width of the gong 2.4 cm. For a full-sized temple gong made of iron see Quick Find 5858.