AN ELABORATE CHINESE GILT-METAL AND KINGFISHER FEATHER OPERA HEADDRESS

QING DYNASTY/REPUBLIC PERIOD

The openwork foliate band supports a row of phoenix, each with a beaded tassel suspended from its mouth, with six Chinese characters reading yi pin gao ming fu in (for the wife of a top ranking official), mounted on mirrored roundels above and divided by nine small models of standing figures, all surmounted by two dragons contesting a central flaming pearl of wisdom, a green and pink silk tassel suspended from endless knots to each side, a modern perspex stand, 33.5cm wide. (2)

Provenance: a private collection, London.