Set of Headdress Ornaments

1700s or 1800s

Set of Headdress Ornaments, 1700s or 1800s. China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Copper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads; overall: 8.1 x 5.1 cm (3 3/16 x 2 in.); average: 10.3 x 5.4 cm (4 1/16 x 2 1/8 in.); irregular: 7.2 x 5.1 cm (2 13/16 x 2 in.); part 1: 21.3 x 29.5 cm (8 3/8 x 11 5/8 in.); part 2: 10.7 x 12.4 cm (4 3/16 x 4 7/8 in.); part 3: 7.5 x 3.9 cm (2 15/16 x 1 9/16 in.); part 4: 8.9 x 8.6 cm (3 1/2 x 3 3/8 in.); part 5: 8.1 x 8.5 cm (3 3/16 x 3 3/8 in.); third section: 11.5 x 2.1 cm (4 1/2 x 13/16 in.); second section: 16 x 7.3 cm (6 5/16 x 2 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Ginaven 2001.179 Hair ornaments depicting flowers, butterflies, or birds were worn by ladies of the Manchu elite class. The iridescent blue feathers of kingfisher birds are inlaid in hairpins and headdresses.