Fingernail Guards, 19th century (late Qing Dynasty). China. Collected & donated by Mrs Dickson, MAA 1929.451. Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, Cambridge.

Worn principally by noble women either on one or several fingers. People with extremely long nails were unable to perform tasks like dressing or eating. These extensions signalled that other people had to act for them. Although they restricted the physical capacity of the hand, they extended the social agency and status of the wearer.