AN UNUSUAL GOLD HAIR ORNAMENT INLAID WITH TURQUOISE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

executed in gold filigree work with thin wires forming five broad petals overlapping with five slender petals in beaten gold, the rosette inlaid to the centre with a turquoise floret and encircled by five smaller turquoise stones, the flattened pin chased with a butterfly and three birds captured in different poses, incised below with a winged boy and a mythical animal amid swirling clouds

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C., 1954-55, cat.no. 50.

Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, cat.no. 50.
Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Ulricehamn, 1999, pl. 47.

The central turquoise floret is secured by a thin wire through the back. It is possible that the dating of the top section is earlier than the 18th century. The flat shaft possibly might be from a separate item and may be 19th century. There are old bits of glue or wax stuck in the filagree that can be cleaned out. The overall condition is quite good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The chased design on the pin of the present hair ornament is very rare.  Compare a related gold hair ornament dated to the Ming dynasty chased with prunus blossoms on the upper section of the pin, illustrated in Celestial Creations: Art of the Chinese Goldsmith, The Cheng Xun Tang Collection, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007, pl.G14.  See another gold hair ornament chased with scrolling flowers, illustrated in Simon Kwan and Sun Ji, Chinese Gold Ornaments, Hong Kong, 2003, pl.332.