A KINGFISHER FEATHER 'JEWEL'-ENCRUSTED HEADDRESSCHINA, QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

The tiny kingfisher bird was highly prized for its iridescent blue feathers, which were used to create headdresses and hair ornaments for the exclusive use of court women during the 18th and 19th centuries.
See another kingfisher feather 'jewel'-encrusted headdress sold in our New York Rooms, 26 March 2003, lot 76.