Lot 196

In very good condition, the silk slightly stained, please refer to photographs


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Purchased: Linda Wrigglesworth at Irving Galleries, London, "Echoes from China" Exhibition, in 1991, 4033/20a, Catalogue No. 80; Ex Traphagan School of Fashion, New York, USA. Collected in 1908, Acquisition no. C.8.49.B

When the Manchus assumed control of China in 1644 to establish the Qing dynasty, they introduced a new system of coloured hat finials to identify the rank of nobles and officials. The crystal sphere, as seen here, is indicative of a fifth rank official. The wearer would have accompanied this hat with either a silver pheasant or a badge of rank
Reference: For a very similar example, please see: Christie's, New York, 19 March 2008, Lot 114; the summer hat in the Newark Museum, Gift of the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection; the Collection of Ken Rutherford, NSW, as illustrated in Judith Rutherford and Jackie Menzie's, Celestial Silks, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2004, cat. no. 59