Gold aigrette with pearl and gem inlay. Presented to the Qing court from Kashagar in 1770, Qing dynasty, 18th c., work of the Muslim regions

Gold aigrette with pearl and gem inlay. Presented to the Qing court from Kashagar in 1770, Qing dynasty, 18th c., work of the Muslim regions

• Image Number: K1D000588N000000000PAE
• Dynasty: Qing dynasty
• Category: Miscellaneous objects
• Function: Clothing and accessories
• Material: Minerals/Metals/Gold
• Description:
  The root of the feather shaft of this headdress is made of jade as a tube, and the center part is a round flower. On both sides of the feather, there are many round gemstones from big to small, and the end ends with a single gem hanging down to one side. The most special thing is that behind this feather, two long golden crown feathers are added. On the wooden box of the accessory, “Jinyujierha” is written. “Jilha” is probably a transliteration of Persian “jigha”, referring to the feather shaped headwear worn on the turbans of Indian and Islamic royal families and nobles. Feathered headwear, originally used by nobles, developed more changes after the 18th and 19th centuries. The complicated or distorted design made the headwear purely for the purpose of pursuing magnificence and separated from the original meaning system as a symbol of identity.