Hat with Rank Finial
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-head garments
Date1644-1911
Made AtChina, Asia
MediumLacquer, cotton, silver, glass and coral
Credit LineLoan Courtesy of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object numberEL.2006.2.1a,b
DescriptionThis object is a man's hat with a rank finial attached at the top, made during the Qing dynasty. These hats were worn on varied occasions, and the finial would be switched out for other colors or styles depending on the rank of the wearer and the occasion.The royalty and nobility used various numbers of pearls. An officer of the first rank wore a translucent red ball (originally ruby); second rank, solid red ball (originally coral); third rank, translucent blue ball (originally sapphire); fourth rank, solid blue ball; fifth rank, translucent white ball (originally crystal); sixth rank, solid white ball (originally mother of pearl). Officers of the seventh to ninth rank wore gold or clear amber balls of varied designs.
On View
On view
1644-1911
1890-1910
1644-1911
1644-1911
1644-1911
early 20th Century
early 20th Century
early 20th Century
late 19th Century
20th Century