Filigree gold earrings. Each one is decorated with a Bat (fu) and six-petaled flowers which we believe to be Winter Jasmine (yingchunhua). The two together form a pun ‘May the welcoming spring flowers bring you blessings’ (yingchun jiangfu). The Winter Jasmine blooms in early spring which is why it is called the ‘welcoming spring flower’. Another object on the earrings is shaped like an Osmanthus flower with four petals which symbolizes a wish to have Distinguished Sons. The heart of the Osmanthus flower most probably once held a semi-precious stone which is now missing. Also depicted is the head of a Ruyi scepter which stands for ‘Everything you wish for’. The earrings date from the early Qing period (1644 – 1912). Outside diameter 3 cm.