Antique Tian-Tsui (üc´ä) Hair Pin

Known as üc´ä / µã´ä 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.

The pieces listed here are one of a kind antiques. These are hair pins made by hand in the early 20th century - approximately 1910's and 1920's. Some of the pieces include glass beads in coral and white.