Antique & Vintage Dress Gallery
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#6114 - c. 1910's
RARE Inlaid Electric Blue
Chinese Kingfisher Feathers Hairband of Flowers and Bird Motif!
Oh baby! I have had one of these in my personal collection for
many years... I kept thinking I should put it up on the website, but
every time I tried, I pulled it off. I just couldn't bear to sell
it! SO... I found another one after many years of searching!
And... ta-da... here it is! Kingfisher feathers had a long
history in Chinese art back to the Han dynasty in 206 BC!
During the Qing dynasty (up until 1911), kingfisher feathers adorned
jewelry and elaborate headdresses worn by the highest-ranking women
at court. At one time, possession of a piece of
kingfisher jewelry was the dream of every Chinese woman. The
kingfisher bird, once plentiful, was nearly hunted to extinction.
As Beverly Jackson writes in her book on the subject. "Kingfisher
Blue: Treasures of an Ancient Chinese Art"... "condition can be a
problem, since the feather are delicate. Always expect some
feather loss in a genuine piece". Wonderful design of inlaid
floral and bird motif on a base of gilt covered silver or brass
basemetal (not sure what the metal is, but it's quite sturdy).
Would have tied at the back of the head with thin elastic, leather
or velvet rope (this has old elastic band). Please note: you
will find fake antique kingfisher pieces out there.. mostly created
with dyed turkey feathers. Once you see the real feathers, you
will not be fooled by the fake! They just don't have the same
patina!! Measures: approx. 9" long by 1" wide and
approx. 4.5" across. This will NOT fit as a flapper
headband... it is too small. It is more a tiara size to
fit around a high hairstyle.
$ 1,245.
SOLD