Lot 228: A Chinese White Metal Chatelaine Pendant with Phoenix, Bells, and Longevity Inscription, 19th/20th Century

This decorative chain accessory, functioning as a chatelaine pendant, features intricate openwork plaques and a total of seven small bells. It comprises a circular openwork clasp adorned with stylized avian motifs, connected via a chain to an ornate ruyi-shaped plaque. This ruyi plaque depicts a zoomorphic face and stylized scrollwork, from which two bells are suspended. A longer chain leads to a larger, elaborate openwork plaque displaying a prominent stylized bird or phoenix motif, with five additional bells hanging from individual chains. On the reverse of the initial circular clasp, an inscription reads 壽福 (Shòu Fú), which translates to “Longevity and Good Fortune.”