Lot 347. A pair of gold 'dragon' hairpins, tongzan, Qing dynasty; 1 1/2in (3.8cm) high excluding pin (2). Sold for US$ 6,075 (€ 5,174). © Bonhams 2001-2020

The head of each dynamic dragon rendered in intricate pierced work and delicate wiring, and crowned with a silver-gray pearl between a pair of scrolling horns, its hollowed, elongated body serving as the pin, executed in a repetitive openwork pattern.

Note: Simon Kwan and Sun Ji suggest in Chinese Gold Ornaments (Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Art Publication Ltd., 2003) that openwork 'dragon' hairpins with hollowed shaft were fashionable during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This hairpin style is known as tongzan (p. 564). For further discussion and illustrated examples of this type, refer to Zhongguo Gudai Jinyin Shoushi, Yang Zhishui (Beijing: Gugong, 2014), vol. 3, pp. 828-829.

Compare also, related examples in Celestial Creations, Art of the Chinese Goldsmith, The Cheng Xun Tang Collection Part 11 (Art Museum, The Institute of Chinese Studies, The Chinese University, Hong Kong. 2007), pp. 572–573, no. H29, and in Collection of Beijing Capital Museum (Beijing 2004), pl. 272.

Bonhams. Elegant Embellishments Featuring the RenLu Collectieon, 21 Sep 2020, 10:00 EDT, New York