Silver buckle

This silver is crowded with flowers, animals, and human figures that are characteristically Chinese and which embody symbolic meanings. Among these motifs there are fish, representing abundance, and a crab symbolizing success and prosperity. Among the birds are feng huang, the mythical phoenix, that is considered the most beautiful among the feathered animals. It represents the five human qualities of virtue, duty, correct behaviour, humanity, and reliability. Beneath, to left and right, are qilin, another mythical animal that expresses good wishes, and is believed to bring many sons to the family.
The human figures in both the inner as well as the outer rim could depict the Eight Immortals, who attained immortality through the study of nature. If so, the craftsman did not quite correctly execute the figures, which could be a consequence of being away from his homeland for so long. The same goes for the flowers on the inner rim, that could represent the flowers of the four seasons. Even so, this buckle is still an example of beautiful and refined craftsmanship. It was worn by women of Chinese descent along the Straits of Malacca.
Sumatra, Singapore or Malaysia; early 20th century; silver