This old hair ornament is amazing! I had thought it was Chinese, as I found others it closely resembles attributed as such, but now I'm pretty confident it is Japanese, where it called a Kanzashi, and dates to the early 20th century.
I am completely enchanted by its intricate nest of forms, among which I spot a koi fish, a beetle, a butterfly, and various leaf and flower forms, and then an iridescent round bead, and a sculptural piece of what I think is likely pink Jadeite. Behind and among them, a fantastic tangle of wires holding them in place, including these long tight coils that make it feel like these insects might just spring into action at any moment!
The metal looks like brass, though possibly it is another metal that has been gilded. The surface shows some age, and the stems of the hairpin are a bit bent, but all of the parts seem still to be in place and I think it's really a fabulous piece, which I'd love to see it worn!
7 1/2" tall x 2 1/2" wide x 1" thick.
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