Handmade Treasure Butterfly Velvet Flower Hairpin

The velvet flower (绒花) is one of China's most cherished folk crafts. Its name sounds like 荣华, glory and splendour, and in times past imperial consorts wore velvet flowers at palace weddings, where they were known as palace flowers. This hairpin gathers that tradition into a butterfly poised as if mid-flight, its wings formed from wisps of pure mulberry silk shaded in gradient pink and blue, so fine they seem to catch the air. A strawberry quartz body glows at its heart, ringed with tiny pearls and agate, and beneath sways a tassel of strawberry quartz and cat's eye beads ending in a translucent chalcedony drop. Every velvet flower is made entirely by hand, so no two are ever quite alike.

Key Features

• Velvet Flower (绒花), a Wish for Glory: The velvet flower's name echoes the word for glory and splendour. Once worn as palace flowers at imperial weddings, it carries a wish for honour and good fortune.
• Handmade Mulberry Silk Wings: The butterfly's wings are crafted from 100% mulberry silk by hand, combed, bound, cut, and twisted in the traditional velvet-flower technique. Independently tested by Intertek as pure mulberry silk.
• Gradient Pink-Blue Butterfly: The wings shade softly from pink to blue, scattered with small pearls and agate inlay, poised as though the butterfly might take flight at any moment.
• Strawberry Quartz and Cat's Eye Tassel: A tassel of strawberry quartz and cat's eye beads falls beneath the butterfly, ending in a translucent chalcedony drop, swaying gently with movement.
• One of a Kind: Because each velvet flower is shaped entirely by hand, every piece differs slightly, the mark and warmth of true handwork.
• A Gift from the Palace Museum: Produced by the Beijing Palace Museum Cultural Development Company, part of the Gifts from the Palace Museum line, and presented in a hardcover gift box with a carrier bag.

Materials & Details

• Pin body: thickened 18K gold plating, chalcedony (玉髓) or strawberry quartz (草莓晶), cat's eye stone, cold enamel (冷珐琅), faux pearl accents
• Velvet flower: 100% mulberry silk (桑蚕丝) with copper wire, chalcedony, faux pearl, and faux jade
• Hairpin length: approx. 21cm
• Presented in a hardcover gift box (approx. 19 x 6 x 2.6cm) with a carrier bag

Care

Keep away from water, perfume, and prolonged sunlight. Store in a soft pouch or jewellery box when not in use. Wipe gently with a dry cloth after wear. Handle the velvet flower gently with clean, dry hands, and avoid rubbing it repeatedly so the silk stays in place.