Bidspirit auction | Chinese gilded silver, jade ”Feng

Chinese gilded silver, jade ”Feng Guan” headdress -China - The gilded silver headdress sits on velvet frame. adorned with kingfisher feathers( many are missing) The top of the headdress sits a gilded silver element of an entrance to a monastery. Chinese characters and clouds surround it. Below a dragon element. Three dimensional phoenix elements adorn throughout. Jade and tourmaline set on floral and phoenix elements. on the bottom border of the headdress are  auspicious bat motifs. dimensions: 22cm*20cm There are some defects to the headdress. missing feathers.... small detached areas. perhaps some missing elements. Still maintains its impressive stature fit for a bride. * Centuries ago, kingfisher feather crowns (known as feng guan) decorated with phoenix, dragons and precious stones were only worn by Empresses in China. From the 19th century, however, a headdress such as this would be worn either by a bride on her wedding day or by an aristocratic lady on formal occasions, as an indication of her wealth and status.