Chinese Silver Butterfly Hairpin with Jade Buyao Chains | Vintage Chinese Hair Pin | Antique Hanfu Butterfly Hairpin
This exquisite hairpin belongs to the tradition of Chinese buyao (“step trembler”) hair ornaments, designed so that their dangling elements sway and shimmer with every movement of the wearer. The centerpiece is a boldly cast and chased openwork butterfly in the round, its wings rendered with fine dotted and scrolling detail, flanked by floral motifs. From the butterfly’s upper body, three fine silver link chains extend outward, each terminating in a polished deep green jade leaf drop — pointed, vivid, and luminous against the silver metalwork. The butterfly detail is cast on the back as well.
The long pin shank below is flat and tapering, its upper face engraved with raised floral medallions and leafy scrollwork on a fine crosshatch ground, giving texture and visual interest to the length of the hair pin. The reverse bears the 足銀 purity mark near the center of the pin.
Although this piece is stamped on the reverse with the Chinese characters 足銀 (“pure silver”), this appears to be a base-metal alloy that mimics the look of silver.
A wearable antique suited equally to Hanfu styling, bridal adornment, and serious collectors of Chinese decorative arts.
Details:
- Measurements: 8.4″ height (10″ including chained leaves); 2.3″ width
- Weight: 2 oz
- Origin: China
