Bronze Pendant Charm with God of Longevity

This antique metal amulet was once worn around the neck as a charm for lifelong happiness and professional success. The round amulet is cast of bronze in low relief and decorated with three central characters for happiness, longevity, and good fortune. The old man with a staff on the left side is Shoulao, the God of Longevity, here accompanied by a spotted deer, a symbol of longevity and a pun for a government salary. On the reverse side is a blessing for passing the imperial examinations and achieving total happiness. Suspended from a custom steel mount, this good luck charm lives on as a sculptural object with storied history.