A GOLD 'PRUNUS' HAIR ORNAMENT QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

the soldered thin twisted gold wires branching off into a spray with four fine filigree prunus flowers with upright naturalistic stamens and filigree teardrop leaves

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C, 1954-55, cat.no. 70.
Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Gold, Silver and Porcelain: the Kempe Collection, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1971, cat.no. 32c, an exhibition touring the United States and shown also at nine other museums.

Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, cat.no. 70.
A Botanical Excursion in the Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1965, pl. 14a.
Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Ulricehamn, 1999, cat.no. 68.

One of the flowers is missing a small disk from the center of the flower. The centre of the flowers may have at one time held a bead or a pearl. The surface is slightly blackish along the edge of the leaves and around the centre of the flower. The overall condition of the ornament is still 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."