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I have found this object marked "Made in China, silver, No23", hand engraved script and flowers design with a carved rose quartz tip and a silk tassle hangng from loop at the other end. 10 1/2" lg.
What is it used for?
Can the inscription be interpreted?
many thanks in advance for your assist

Charles,

I'm going to engage in some general conjecture and wild speculation. Take everything said with a grain of salt.

It looks to me like a "fly swisher" - an item to dislodge flies that have landed on your person. That's a wild guess.

Also, there is a chance that it was made right around 1914. This guess is based on the order of the words "CHINA MADE IN". According to the law from 1890 to 1914, articles imported into the US had to be marked with the country of origin (China). It became law in 1914 that imported items had to be marked "Made in XXX". My conjecture is that possibly - just possibly - a second stamp was applied after the law was enacted so that this item could be legally imported into the US.

Cheers,
Stan

The four characters read right to left as 'ji xiang ru yi' (all the good fortune you desire). I'm uncertain about the utility of the piece but have a vague impresion that it may be an old hair ornament of some sort.
Best regards,
Bill H.

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