Antique 1920s Chinese Export Carved Cinnabar Dress/Fur Clip, Art Deco Bird & Peony Flower

Step back into the glamour of the Art Deco era with this stunning, authentic Chinese Export cinnabar dress clip (also known as a fur clip). Dating from the 1920s to the 1930s, this beautiful piece features a deeply carved cinnabar focal point framed by a textured, blackened rope-twist border.

Delicate, Dainty and filled with history.

Design & Historical Context:

• The Motif: A highly detailed "Bird and Flower" design showcasing a songbird perched among blooming peonies—a traditional Asian symbol of prosperity, spring, and good fortune.
• The Material: Genuine cinnabar lacquer, created through the meticulous, historic process of layering and hand-carving natural tree-sap lacquer over a stable base.
• The Hallmark: Stamped cleanly on the reverse side with the crisp rectangle "CHINA" export mark, denoting its early 20th-century origins under historical import laws.

• The "CHINA" Stamp: The small rectangle hallmark stamped directly into the base metal indicates a strict historical timeframe. Following the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, goods imported into the United States were legally required to state their country of origin. Stamping simply "CHINA" was the standard export practice between 1890 and the 1930s.

The Mechanism:

Unlike a traditional pin brooch, this piece features a heavy-duty, spring-loaded metal clip back. It is designed to slide over and clamp firmly onto fabric. It functions beautifully clipped onto a dress neckline, a suit lapel, a scarf, or the pocket of a blazer.

Condition:

Excellent antique condition! The cinnabar carving is clean and crisp with no chips or cracks. The heavy-duty metal spring mechanism remains incredibly tight, snappy, and perfectly functional.

Metal Patina Note for Collectors:

The reverse side features a beautifully aged, authentic tarnished silver finish over its vintage base metal. This natural, unpolished dark oxidation has been left completely intact, as it highlights the genuine Art Deco vintage age that collectors love.