There is little doubt that this very light embossed silver hairpin was a wedding present. It is decorated with a boy who is dressed like a First Scholar, surrounded by three of the Four Scholarly Pursuits, a Chessboard, Books and a Scroll Painting. Or perhaps the fourth object, the musical instrument called ‘Qin’ is partly hidden behind the books? All these object express the wish that a son may become a High Official when he grows up. The top part of the hairpin comes in the shape of a Ruyi-head which symbolizes that ‘Everything wished for, will come true’. In the centre of the Ruyi is a round Shou character (tuanshou) which means ‘May you obtain Longevity and Completeness’ (yuanman). The circular shape (yuan) means ‘Completeness’. It is surrounded by three bats. Bats (Fu), a Shou (Longevity) medallion and the head of a Ruyi sceptre lead to the pun ‘May you have Blessings, Longevity and May all your Wishes come true’ (fushou ruyi). The hairpin dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Length 14.2 cm. Width 3.8 cm.