Silver lock and chain. The lock is decorated on one side with a Boy with a ‘First Candidate’ headgear holding a Vase (Peace). The student with the best study results during the Civil Service Examinations was called a ‘First Candidate’. Next to the boy stands a Deer with a spray of the Fungus of Immortality (Lingzhi) in its mouth (Both Long life). The Bamboo on the right also symbolizes Peace. On the other side of the lock are the Chinese characters Jiu Ru (九如) which mean ‘Blessings and everything one wishes for’. Flanking the scenes are a couple of somewhat peculiar looking Dragons which symbolize Fertility. Or did the artisan mean to depict ‘Dragon fishes’ which are mythical creatures with a dragon’s head and a fish tail. In fact these were thought to be fish which transformed into dragons after passing the ‘Dragon’s gate’ and they symbolize a wish to be successful during the Civil Service Examinations and achieve a ‘High status’. Two bell-shaped plaques are attached to the lock and have identical engraved characters ‘Tian En’ (天恩) which means ‘By the Grace of God’ or ‘By the Emperor’s kindness’. The lock was made by a famous Chinese jewelry company called Lao Fengxiang (老鳯祥) and bears their hallmark. Lao Feng Xiang started their business in Shanghai in 1848 and they are one of the oldest Chinese jewelry brands still in existence. The company presently has over 2,000 retail and boutique stores all over mainland China. The lock dates from the late Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). Total length 46 cm. Lock: Width 4.4 cm. Height 3.7 cm. Depth 2.0 cm. Weight 62.5 grams.