Antique Tian-Tsui (點翠) Hair Pin – Medium
Known as 點翠 / 点翠 to the Chinese, Tian-Tsui translates to “dotting with kingfishers”. Its a traditional practice in which tiny kingfisher feathers were cut to size and incorporated into sterling silver and silver gilt jewelry to create a dazzling fluorescent blue finish. The technique was lost with the Chinese cultural revolution in the 1940’s.
These are hair pins made by hand in the early 20th century – approximately 1910’s and 1920’s.
The medium size hair pins listed here are one of a kind antiques. They range from just over 2″ tall to about 5″ tall. They are made from silver base metal with gold plating and feather accents. In some cases they have granulation, springs, or glass beads as decor. Many of the pieces at a lower price point have lost some of their delicate feather exterior.
“Surprise me” variant may will be a hairpin of similar size and condition to those pictured.
