Chinese Lock Pendants / Charms

The Chinese used silver in their charms more than gold. One of the more interesting forms of Chinese charms is the lock. This type of charm is based on the traditional Chinese device used to safeguard possessions and property. The shape is similar to the Chinese character 'ao' (凹) which means "concave" and it is always decorated with Chinese characters and symbols.

The purpose of the lock charm is similar to that of the other charm types, which is meant to protect a person from evil and to bring good luck, fortune, official rank and long life.

These padlocks could be bought at silversmith shops and varied in size and shape. Sometimes, Buddhist or Taoist priests tied them with their own hands around the necks of children as a blessing to the children.


Chinese Lock Pendant 1

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Chinese Lock Pendant 2

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Chinese Lock Pendant 3

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Chinese Lock Pendant 4

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Chinese Lock Pendant 5

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Chinese Lock Pendant 6

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Chinese Lock Pendant 7

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Chinese Lock Pendant 8

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Chinese Lock Pendant 9

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Antique Copper Matchboxes

Normally, a matchbox is a box made of cardboard or thin wood designed to hold matches. Pictures below are the copper matchboxes from my collection. The matchbox 2 has a coarse striking surface on one edge for lighting the matches contained inside.


Matchbox 1

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Matchbox 2

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Matchbox 2

Matchbox 2