THE COLLECTIONS OF JANET & JACK THORNTON
Wednesday, 12 - Monday, 24 November 2025
Fifteen Chinese Republic period silver gilt, silver and enamel hairpins, five with kingfisher feather colour enamels,
Estimate $150 - $300
Realised: $600 plus premium
Lot Details
five examples with a small spoon at the tip were initially intended as ear cleaners, and these pins named erwa zan, ear-cleaner hairpin. Popular during the Qing dynasty, they were worn by both men and women. The spoon later lost its functional purpose and were incorporated into a multitude of hairpin designs. The majority with maker's mark
