A PAIR OF GOLD 'PRUNUS' HAIR ORNAMENTS QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

each finely executed in gold filigree with twisted thin wires branching out to a large prunus flower head formed by delicate filigree centred with upright naturalistic stamens, a smaller attendant bud and flat leaves, further adorned by a freely moving butterfly fixed to the top, a small hole at the base of the stem possibly once held a small stone (now missing), the gold oxidized to a coppery-orange patina

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C., 1954-55, cat.nos. 67 and 68.

Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, cat.nos. 67 and 68.
Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Ulricehamn, 1999, pls. 66 and 67.

The ornaments have an orange-coppery patina with some black film on parts of the surface. 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."

Compare two gold hair ornaments with the flower blossoms and leaves similarly executed in delicate filigree work, illustrated in Simon Kwan and Sun Ji, Chinese Gold Ornaments, Hong Kong, 2003, pls.380 and 381.