


Child's headband of dark indigo silk trimmed with white patterned ribbon and blue silk on lower edge. A ruyi-shaped crest at the front bordered in appliqué gilt metal thread and lined with green silk. Decorated with embroidered designs with five bats and a 'shou' character representing longevity, which creates a pattern saying 'wu fu peng shou', wishing for five blessings with an emphasis on longevity. The five blessings refer to old age, wealth, health, love of virtue, and natural death. The 'shou' character conceals swastika motifs, which symbolise 'wan', ten thousand, making the longevity even longer. The ruyi-shaped crest wishes for 'may all wishes come true', as 'ruyi' means 'as you wish'.
Collected between 1908 and 1924 by the parents of the donor, Dr E. Sawdon, when his father was on the teaching staff of the West China Union University, Chengtu. The name of this institution was changed when the Communist government came to power.