 ChineseReference P6.A kingfisher feather and hardstone headdress. Decorated on black silk webbing (over a wire frame) with kingfisher feathers, semi-precious stones, glass and copper-gilt filigree. Some losses but a scarce item. Qing dynasty, late 19th century. 28cms/11 inches (please note that the illustration above shows the top of the crown, the picture on the previous 'display cabinet' page shows the back. The front fits snugly around the top of the head and is plain). These fanciful 'crowns' were traditionally worn on special occasions. Their frail nature makes losses, particularly of the glued kingfisher feathers and peripheral ornaments, inevitable. Several different types exist - this shape is scarce and the nearest published example I can find is the similarly shaped but apparently less complete example in the Newark (N.J.) Museum, the gift of Iris Barrel Apfel. This is illustrated and described in 'Chinese Costume at the end of the Qing dynasty' (Valrae Reynolds, 'Orientations' magazine, October 1992). How to order Back to display cabinet
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