A GOLD NAIL SHIELD QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

the elongated half-cone shaped like a long fingernail with a short tubular opening tapering to a point and open on the back side, the furled reticulated thin sheet of gold chased and engraved with peonies, and a bat on a lush foliate scroll, centered with the shou ('longevity') character, the reverse with a sealmark possibly reading cai

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.,1954-55, cat.no. 73.

Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, cat.no. 73.
Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Ulricehamn, 1999, cat.no. 71.

The tip of the nail is slightly bent, but can probably be shaped back to the original shape. The overall condition is very good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ornamental nail guards were principally worn by Manchu ladies as nail protectors. They became a status of wealth as they covered the fingers of ladies of leisure, who were able to grow their nails long since they did not need to work.  The majority of these pieces have openwork to maximize airing and they come in a variety of techniques such as filigree and inlay.  Compare two pairs in Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics, Gold and Silverwares, Beijing, 2004, pls. 237-240 and two in Celestial Creations: The Art of the Chinese Goldsmith, The Cheng Xun Tang Collection, Chinese Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, 2007, cat.no. H60A and B.