Chinese Official's Brass Hat Finial

Item Details

A late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) Chinese Mandarin had finial. This finial has a brass colored ovoid mounted on a brass filigree base. It is signed on the bottom. Accession number 1938.0082.

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 #

17COL077-068