Ronghua Hairpin - 'Orchid Mantis'
Heritage Recognition: JS-01-VIII-0020-01
Heritage Since
618 AD (Tang Dynasty Origins)
Manual Hours
40+ hours of meticulous handiwork
📜 Story Behind the Craft
Velvet Flower (Ronghua) boasts a profound history in Nanjing, dating back to the Tang Dynasty when it was a treasured tribute for the imperial court. Its popularity peaked during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These exquisite artworks, made entirely of fine silk floss, are known for their soft texture, intricate detail, and strong expressive power. Historically, artisans would often create unique, improvised pieces based on customers' requests. The craft is rich in symbolism; as "Ronghua" is a homophone meaning "prosperity" and "glory", the flowers are emblems of good fortune and blessings. They were traditionally used as hair ornaments during weddings, birthdays, and major festivals like the Spring Festival, symbolizing wishes for a prosperous and happy life. The designs often draw from auspicious symbols and homophones, creatively expressing people's hopes for a beautiful future.
📐 Product Specifications
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 8 cm x 7 cm x 8 cm
- Weight: 5 g
- Applicable Scenes: Ideal as a headpiece or hair accessory for special occasions, cultural events, or daily wear to showcase unique elegance.
🤝 Made with Care
- Each Orchid Mantis velvet flower is meticulously handmade by skilled artisans.
- From the twisting of the silk threads to the final shaping, every step is performed with patience and precision, ensuring that each piece is not just an accessory, but a unique work of art with its own character.
🧵 Craftsmanship & Ingredients
- This exquisite hairpin is a testament to the meticulous and ancient art of Nanjing Velvet Flower making. The process is entirely manual, requiring immense skill and patience.
- Primary Material – Silk Floss: The soul of the piece. We use high-quality, naturally-dyed silk floss. The soft, vibrant threads are what give the orchid mantis its lifelike, velvety texture and rich, lasting color. The fluffiness of the silk captures light beautifully, creating a delicate sheen.
- Structural Core – Copper Wire: This is the invisible skeleton. Thin, flexible copper wires are used to create the framework for the petals and the mantis's body. This allows the artisan to pose the delicate limbs and shape the petals, ensuring the piece is both durable and adjustable for a perfect fit.
- The Process – A Labor of Love: The creation involves a series of precise steps:
- Stripping: Silk threads are carefully twisted and secured onto the copper wire frame.
- Combing: The silk is meticulously combed to create a uniform, fluffy surface.
- Cutting & Tipping: The combed silk strips are cut and shaped with fine scissors to form individual components like petals and insect wings.
- Assembling: All the tiny components are assembled by hand onto the main clip, building up the complex form of the orchid mantis.
- Shaping & Setting: A light, safe setting solution is applied to help the delicate silk fibers hold their intricate shape permanently against humidity and wear.
- All Ingredients: Silk floss thread, Copper wire, Setting solution, Metal clip. Every material is selected for its quality, durability, and authenticity to the tradition.
🌏 Artisan & Origin Spotlight
This exquisite hairpin originates from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, a city renowned for its preservation of this intangible cultural heritage. The craft is kept alive by dedicated local artisans who have inherited and refined the skills of masters like Zhou Jiafeng, whose works are now preserved in the Nanjing Folk Customs Museum. By acquiring this piece, you are supporting the continuation of a beautiful ancient craft.
🏛️ Cultural Heritage Recognition
Nanjing Velvet Flower is officially recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage. It is listed as:
Item: Nanjing Velvet Flower
Recognition: Jiangsu Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage, Traditional Skill (Category VII, Item 20)
Reference Code: JS-01-VIII-0020-01
Our Promise to You
From quality to care, we’re here to make your experience smooth and meaningful.
Secure payment
Encrypted checkout with major cards and trusted processors — your privacy is always respected.
Worldwide Shipping
Carefully packed and shipped with tracking. Wherever you are, we’ll get it to you.
Mindful Packaging
Plastic-free, low-waste materials. Designed to protect your order and the planet.
_1920x1920.png)
