One of a pair of pail hooks (naigou). A twisted iron /steel double headed hook with curled back points is looped through a pale leather strap. The strap is decorated with an appliqué red leather panel, stitched with white thread and studded with three large dome headed pins.
Pail hooks are hung from a woman’s belt. This robust example looks like it was made with real use in mind, however often pail hooks are highly decorated and symbolise womanhood rather than serving any practical purpose.
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