Red and gold lacquered wooden spool decorated on one side with Cymbidium, which is a kind of orchid. Cymbidium symbolizes ‘Friendship and Grandsons’. The other side is decorated with bamboo which represents ‘Humility and Fidelity’. The original thread and an old rusty needle are still there. The spool is lacquered in gold and red which are both auspicious colors in China. It dates from the end of the Qing period (1644 – 1912) or the early Republic Period (1912 – 1947). Length 12.2 cm. Width 7.9 cm. Thickness 0.9 cm. .