Lot 166
166
A PEACOCK FEATHER AND HORSEHAIR HAT DECORATION WITH JADE PLUME HOLDER
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF R. HATFIELD ELLSWORTH
A PEACOCK FEATHER AND HORSEHAIR HAT DECORATION WITH JADE PLUME HOLDER

18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details
A PEACOCK FEATHER AND HORSEHAIR HAT DECORATION WITH JADE PLUME HOLDER
18th/19th century
The plume comprised of a thick bundle of peacock feathers tightly bound together within an outer layer of black horsehair, attached to a white and russet jade tubular plume holder
16½in. (41.9cm.) long, tubular casing and brocade box
Provenance
Collection of A.W. Bahr.

Lot Essay

The ling zhi or plume hat insignia was an award of distinction that could only be conferred by the emperor, generally in recognition of meritorious service. This single-eyed peacock feather or dan yan hua ling, may have been worn by a Chinese noble or official down to the sixth rank. Double-eyed plumes could be awarded to Manchu nobles, and triple-eyed plumes were reserved solely for the first three ranks of Imperial princes.

More from Fine Chinese Archaic Bronzes, Ceramics and Works of Art

View All
View All