Silver pendant and necklace. The pendant comes in the shape of a Boy seated on a Qilin with a ruyi scepter in one hand and a bamboo mouth organ in the other. A boy riding on a qilin is a pun ‘May the Qilin bring you a son’ (qilin songzi). The Qilin is a mythical creature that has the same role as the stork in the West. The ruyi scepter symbolizes ‘Everything you wish for’. The word for mouth organ (sheng) is similar to ‘Giving birth’. A money pouch hanging from his belt symbolizes Wealth. The boy wears the long gown of a First Candidate during the Civil Service Examinations. The pendant dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Total length chain 33 cm. Pendant width 5.5 cm. Height 4.8 cm. Depth 1.5 cm. Total weight 36 grams.