Hair Ornament Item Number: Edz1079 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Copper object with one flat, elliptical end tapering to a needle-like point.
History Of Use
At the time of collection (1980) these were no longer in use, as most women had their hair cut and often curled. In the past, they had been used to secure women’s long hair, wrapped at the back in a bun. The woman’s hair was twisted over and around an embossed bar-like ornament with a hole at each end, and a pin like this pushed through to secure it. Such pins were also used by women to scratch their heads. Ornaments like these were worn by both land-dwelling farming people and boat-dwelling fishing people.
Narrative
From a shop selling antiques and second-hand goods in Macao. The pin is missing from this ornament. The ornament was identified and explained by Mrs. Yau Chan, Shek-ying, of Kwan Mun Hau Village, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, who remembered seeing them in use.
Item History
- Made in Macau ? during 1920
- Collected by Elizabeth L. Johnson in Macau during 1980
- Owned by Elizabeth L. Johnson before March 17, 1980
- Received from Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on March 17, 1980
What
- Name
- Hair Ornament
- Identification Number
- Edz1079
- Type of Item
- ornament
- Material
- copper metal
- Overall
- height 0.2 cm, width 7.5 cm, depth 0.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Hakka
- Field Collector
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Previous Owner
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Received from
- Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Macau ?
- Collected in
- Macau
When
- Creation Date
- during 1920
- Collection Date
- during 1980
- Ownership Date
- before March 17, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on March 17, 1980
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0610/0049