Magpie on Plum Sandalwood Hairpin

The plum blossom (梅花) is one of the most beloved images in Chinese art, a flower that blooms alone in the depth of winter, unbowed by the cold, long held as a symbol of purity and quiet integrity. The Qianlong Emperor loved it, and wrote of seeking its fragrance to find a single branch in flower. This hairpin, modelled on a Qing dynasty coral hairpin in the Palace Museum collection, carries that spirit in natural red sandalwood: a magpie pauses mid-turn among plum branches worked in gold, a single pearl resting at the heart of a blossom. The magpie on the plum is the classical motif 喜上眉梢, joy arriving, happiness rising to the brow. Slipped into the hair, it is a small, considered wish for good news.

Key Features

• Joy on the Brow (喜上眉梢): A magpie among plum blossoms is one of the most auspicious images in Chinese art, a wordplay wishing happiness and good news to the wearer.
• The Plum Blossom: Blooming alone through winter's cold, the plum stands for purity, resilience, and quiet integrity, an emblem beloved by poets and emperors alike.
• Natural Red Sandalwood: The body is carved from natural red sandalwood (紫檀), fine-grained and warm in tone. Each piece carries its own depth of colour and grain, so no two are exactly alike.
• Gold Detailing with Pearl: The magpie, branches, and blossoms are finished in 18K gold plating, with a single faux pearl set at the centre of a bloom.
• 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

• Natural red sandalwood (紫檀)
• Brass with thickened 18K gold plating
• Faux pearl accent
• Hairpin length: approx. 18cm
• Presented in a hardcover gift box (approx. 19 x 6 x 2.6cm) 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.