Magnolia Flower Goddess Hairpin

In Chinese tradition, the magnolia (玉兰) is the flower goddess who presides over the growth of spring and summer. Its blossoms open before the leaves unfurl, white touched with the faintest blue-green, fragrant as orchid, described in classical verse as breaking open into silver blossoms with a jade-white, snow-like scent. This hairpin renders that image in gold: a magnolia in bloom worked in fine filigree openwork, its petals light and airy, with a hand-carved chalcedony bud glowing softly at the centre. Drawn from a Qing dynasty robe embroidered with magnolia and butterfly, it is a piece of wearable heritage, poised and quietly luminous in the hair.

Key Features

• The Magnolia, Flower Goddess of Spring: The magnolia presides over the season's first growth, blooming before its own leaves appear. To wear it is to carry the promise of renewal and the quiet arrival of beauty.
• Gold Filigree Openwork: The flower is built from fine gold wire in openwork (金丝镂空), a technique that keeps the piece light and lets it catch the light with every turn of the head.
• Hand-Carved Chalcedony Bud: A natural chalcedony bud sits at the heart of the bloom, hand-carved and softly translucent. Each stone carries its own gentle variation, a mark of genuine material.
• Comfortable to Wear: The pin is finished with a smooth, rounded curve that sits gently against the scalp.
• 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 velvet pouch.

Materials & Details

• Brass with thickened 18K gold plating
• Natural chalcedony (玉髓) bud, hand-carved
• Hairpin length: approx. 19cm
• Presented in a hardcover gift box (approx. 7.1 x 21.5 x 3.3cm) with a velvet pouch

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.