Lot Essay
The hat spike is either Chinese or Mongolian, the latter usually adapted from Chinese examples. It is an unusual example of a formal court hat insignia with its finely chased gilt-metal mounts.
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19TH CENTURY
Details
** A GROUP OF ELEVEN MANDARIN HAT BUTTONS AND A HAT SPIKE
19TH CENTURY
The hat spike with gilt-metal base finely chased with lotus leaves, below a globular ball chased with lotus scroll and surmounted by coral and turquoise beads; the eleven hat buttons in pink glass imitating semi-precious stone (first rank), opaque pink glass (second rank), three opaque blue glass (fourth rank), two clear glass (fifth rank), white striated opaque glass (sixth rank), and three gilt-metal (seventh, eighth and ninth ranks)
Hat spike 4¾ in. (12 cm.) high, hat buttons 2 to 2¼ in. (5 to 5.8 cm.) high (12)
19TH CENTURY
The hat spike with gilt-metal base finely chased with lotus leaves, below a globular ball chased with lotus scroll and surmounted by coral and turquoise beads; the eleven hat buttons in pink glass imitating semi-precious stone (first rank), opaque pink glass (second rank), three opaque blue glass (fourth rank), two clear glass (fifth rank), white striated opaque glass (sixth rank), and three gilt-metal (seventh, eighth and ninth ranks)
Hat spike 4¾ in. (12 cm.) high, hat buttons 2 to 2¼ in. (5 to 5.8 cm.) high (12)
Special notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.