A pretty two pronged Chinese hair pin with enamel worked top

 

CONDITION; good vintage condition with expected wear for age.

 

SIZE: 7½ ins h x 1 ins w (18.5 cm x 2 cm)

 

APPROXIMATE DATE: late 19^th – early 20^th century

 

MATERIALS: metal, enamel

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

This item originated in an important German private collection of oriental art.

 

A beautiful vintage Chinese hair pin from the late 19^th or early 20^th centuries. The base of the ornament is made from silver tone metal. Here is a pretty double pronged hair pin ornament with a pierced openwork finial in an upright shape topped off by an ear pick. It has a floral theme and is enamelled in light and dark blue. The heading is raised upon spiral springs so as to tremble when the wearer moves.

 

The final pictures show other items from this collection and the manner in which they were worn by ladies at the time.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Manchu minority ruled from 17th century to the early 20th century in China. Manchu married women would arrange their hair into a bun through which was thrust a stick like ornament of decorated metal, wood or even jade. The hair was then wound around this ornament, creating distinctive “wings” which protruded from the head at each side. Contemporary photographs and illustrations from the late 19th and early 20th century show that these hair styles could vary considerably. Along with the wooden or metal ornament were often placed hairpins with trembler headings and long pendants, which swung as the wearer moved.