Silver lock decorated on one side with the objects connected to the ‘Four Scholarly Pursuits’. In ancient China a scholar should be accomplished in the Four Scholarly Pursuits, playing the qin (zither), reading books, painting and playing chess. Depicted are a game board, books, a zither and painting brushes which together symbolize a wish for a high status. The top of the lock is embellished with Plum flowers which with their five petals symbolize the ‘Five Blessings’, Old age, Health, Wealth. Love of virtue and a Peaceful death. On the other side of the lock is the text ‘Bai Jia Bao Suo’ (百家保锁) which means ‘Protected by a hundred families’. When a child was about three months old, it was usually given a silver, gold or jade amulet in the shape of a lock in the hope that the lock would tie the child down to prevent abduction by evil spirits. In some areas of China money would be donated by a hundred families to purchase a silver lock and consequently the child would then have the protection of these hundred families. This is such a lock. It is marked but the mark is illegible. It dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Width 4.6 cm. Height 2.6 cm. Depth 1.9 cm. Weight 25.0 grams.