Gilt silver hairpin embellished with a decoration unknown to us. What is the flower with three petals and what are these heart-shaped items in the centre? For the time being it remains a riddle. The gilding of this unusual item is somewhat worn due to its age. It is marked Rui Heng (瑞亨) who may have been the silversmith or retailer. It dates from the end of the Qing (1644 - 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 - 1947). Length 8.6 cm. Width 0.8 cm.