The elegant hair pins with precious decorations embellished the sophisticated hairstyles, widespread since ancient times, of Chinese women. The ladies of the aristocracy used to replace the pins at the turn of the seasons: those of jade were used in spring and summer, while the gold clasps were suitable for the autumn and winter seasons. They are made of silver, brass, pearls, coral, carnelian, turquoise, kingfisher feathers, enamels.
There were many types of jewels such as 'pien-fang', hair pins, which were considered the basic essential jewel for mounting the traditional hairstyle (Lin-pia tou). Pien-fang was not considered a mere ornament, but was used to keep hairstyles from collapsing.
In the Museum before 1913.
