Jewel Encrusted Nail Covers, Mid to Late 1800s, China. The Late Qing Dynasty [510 x 987]

Nail guards originate from the Ming dynasty but became popular in the Qing dynasty. Men and women of the nobility in ancient China wore their nails long. Long nails were seen as a symbol of wealth as it meant they did not have to do manual labor. Nail guards were usually made from metals or shells, sometimes also jade. Historical artifacts show that they are usually made of gold, silver, bronze, or gilded metal, and embedded with pearls, precious stones or kingfisher feather. The length can be anywhere from 3cm to 15cm depending on how long the wearer wishes it to be. Nail guards could be worn on one hand only, or on both hands; the latter would signal the wearer’s higher status as it shows they do not need to use either of their hands. Nail guards as historical artifacts usually came in pairs, which suggest they were worn on two fingers of each hand – the fourth finger and the pinky. This is also consistent as what is seen in paintings and photographs.

Oh, fingernails! First I was thinking, “that must be one fancy building.”