A BEJEWELLED KINGFISHER FEATHER EMBELLISHED IMPERIAL CROWN, CHAO GUANI

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A BEJEWELLED KINGFISHER FEATHER EMBELLISHED IMPERIAL CROWN, CHAO GUANI
QING DYNASTY

The oval wire frame in the shape of an inverted Chinese winnowing basket bound in black silk and decorated with delicate brooch-like appliques comprising foliate-shaped gilt-copper cut-outs inlaid with kingfisher feathers and embellished with pierced and threaded pearls, crystal, coral, jadeite, tourmaline and coloured beads to form vine-like bunches and floral motifs, the top with three phoenixes and a bat among larger flowers, the border of the back with bats on rectangular panels and insect motifs using jadeite, crystal and coral among bunches of fruit (minor losses)
10 1/2in. (27cm.) wide

Lot Essay

Compare those from the The Palace Museum Collection, Beijing, illustrated in Jewelry and Accessories of the Royal Consorts of Ch'ing Dynasty, including pl.3, a hat with gold filigree phoenixes mounted with pearls and hardstones reserved on a kingfisher-feather-mounted ground of basket-weave form. Pls.2 and 3 are similar in form, but bear different ornaments. The first is decorated with carved quartz plaques in the form of shou-characters encircled by jadeite 'ribbons', the second with pine, prunus and bamboo medallions mounted with jadeite, pearl and hardstone carvings. Cf. also the examples illustrated in Qing Dynasty Costume Accessories from the National Palace Museum, figs.85-87.

A variety of different hair ornaments comprising gilt plaques decorated with kingfisher feathers, pearls and hardstones are also included, whose subjects include flowers, bats, phoenixes, auspicious emblems, characters and fruit

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