Hair-Pin
Hair-Pin
Object name: Hair-Pin
Date: 1850-1900
Dimensions:
205 x 10 mm
Medium: Bone, glass
Object number: C12434
DescriptionLady's hair pin consisting of 2 long, slightly curved prongs. It is decorated at the top with green and red glass beads and a spoon-shaped ear-cleaner. Possibly made from the bone of a bird leg.
In the 19th Century China banned ornamentation in the form of costume accessories. However, Chinese ladies were allowed to wear ornamented hairpins because they claimed they were functional: hairpins were also used as ear cleaners, an important social practice in 19th Century China.
In the 19th Century China banned ornamentation in the form of costume accessories. However, Chinese ladies were allowed to wear ornamented hairpins because they claimed they were functional: hairpins were also used as ear cleaners, an important social practice in 19th Century China.
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