The decoration of this gilt silver hairpin consists of a large mansion with an elegant lady at the top of a staircase and two servants waving cool air with huge fans on long sticks. The poor lady seems to have been decapitated because her head is missing. Two other figures at the bottom of the staircase seem to be chatting. Brushes with plum blossoms and chrysanthemums grow on both sides of the building. A Plum blossom has five petals which represent the Five Blessings, 'Old age, Health, Wealth, Love of Virtue and a Peaceful death' while chrysanthemum flowers symbolize Longevity because of the health-giving properties of the plant. The back is formed by curling floral designs in filigree. Hairpins, generally known as ‘Fa-zan’ (髮簪) have always been an important symbol in Chinese culture. Women would wear bejeweled silver and gold hairpins to show their social status. Total length 13.7 cm. Width 5.8 cm. Height 6.5 cm. Depth with pin 1.4 cm. Depth without pin 0.8 cm. Weight 31.5 grams.