Material: Silver?
Style: China
Size:  Length 21 cm, Width 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACHH1

A woman’s hairpin in the Qing dynasty (1636–1912) displayed her status and was a large part of her dowry. Parents gave hairpins to their daughter for her dowry.

Noblewomen wore much of their wealth in their hair. Hairpins were of all sizes. Distinct ethnic hairstyles required distinct hairpins. They displayed symbols for happiness, fertility, wealth and marital bliss.

The hairpin seems to have a man’s face at the top, with an elaborate headdress. There are symbols of animals on both sides.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Hairpin appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACHA1

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty.

Chinese  infants’ and children’s hats were elaborately embroidered and designed to give protection from evil spirits, demons and ghosts. They were worn until about the age of five. Maternal grandmothers made them and decorated them with silver amulets for protection and status.

The adornments, which would have been sewn in, represent the Eight Immortals. In Chinese mythology, the Ba Xian or Eight Immortals, are a group of legendary heroes who  fight for justice and against evil.

The Immortals are human beings, who became immortal through self-cultivation. They sit between human beings and gods and act as mediators between earth and heaven. They are models for achieving immortality through leading a morally blameless life.

They are important figures in Taoism and are the subject of many paintings, potteries and sculptures.

The Eight Immortals.

Their names are:

• Cao Guo Jiu—holding a jade tablet.
• Han Xiang Zi—holding or playing a flute, a musical prodigy.
• He Xian Gu—the only woman of the Ba Xian. She carries a lotus flower or a reed pipe instrument called the sheng. 
• Lan Cai He—holding a basket of fruit.
• Li Ti Guai—holding a cane and gourd.
• Lü Dong Bin—dressed in scholar’s robes and holding a large sword.
• Zhang Guo Lao—riding a white mule and carrying a bamboo fish  drum, mallets and a peach of immortality.
• Zhong Li Quan—wearing robes that reveal his bare belly and a long beard that reaches his navel.

The Ba Xian are still popular subjects in art, literature,  movies and television.

There are examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, page 129.

20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Hat Adornments 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Height 2.5 cm, Width 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACHA2

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty.

Chinese  infants’ and children’s hats were elaborately embroidered and designed to give protection from evil spirits, demons and ghosts. They were worn until about the age of five. Maternal grandmothers made them and decorated them with silver amulets for protection and status.

The adornments, which would have been sewn in, represent the Eight Immortals. In Chinese mythology, the Ba Xian or Eight Immortals, are a group of legendary heroes who  fight for justice and against evil.

The Immortals are human beings, who became immortal through self-cultivation. They sit between human beings and gods and act as mediators between earth and heaven. They are models for achieving immortality through leading a morally blameless life.

They are important figures in Taoism and are the subject of many paintings, potteries and sculptures.

The Eight Immortals.

Their names are:

• Cao Guo Jiu—holding a jade tablet.
• Han Xiang Zi—holding or playing a flute, a musical prodigy.
• He Xian Gu—the only woman of the Ba Xian. She carries a lotus flower or a reed pipe instrument called the sheng. 
• Lan Cai He—holding a basket of fruit.
• Li Ti Guai—holding a cane and gourd.
• Lü Dong Bin—dressed in scholar’s robes and holding a large sword.
• Zhang Guo Lao—riding a white mule and carrying a bamboo fish  drum, mallets and a peach of immortality.
• Zhong Li Quan—wearing robes that reveal his bare belly and a long beard that reaches his navel.

The Ba Xian are still popular subjects in art, literature,  movies and television.

One (bottom right) is missing and has been replaced by the same one on bottom left and the 2nd one on both rows look the same.

There are examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, page 129.

20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Hat Adornments 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACSBB1

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty, even for such items as buttons.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Silver Buttons 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACSBB2

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty, even for such items as buttons.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Silver Buttons 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 1.75 cm
Order Number: MHSACSBB3

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty, even for such items as buttons.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Silver Buttons 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.