Chinese Coral Official's Hat Finial

Item Details

A late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) official’s hat finial. The coral is well polished and has an incised auspicious symbol. The ornament is mounted on a brass filigree base, signed to the underside. Accession number was 1938.0080.

These official’s finial’s were predominantly used during the late 19th century. Various precious stones or peking glass balls were meant to signify different levels of status. They were popular among Westerners as curiosities during the early 20th century.

Provenance
Collected in the late 19th and early 20th century and donated to a Private Midwestern Institution in 1938
Sold to enhance and preserve the Institution’s mission-relevant Collections

Dimensions

item

Item #

17COL077-060