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This pair of ornaments (with Walters 86.14) and headdress (Walters 86.3) were likely once worn by the empress dowager, the effective ruler of China during the later years of the Qing Dynasty. It is an exquisite example of Chinese decoration and the symbolism used to express one's rank. The small phoenixes emerging from the surface represent the empress, while the myriad of pearls and gemstones mark this piece as something special for the adornment of the highest ranking woman in Chinese society. The brilliant blue feathers of the kingfisher give these accessories an eye-catching quality that anyone interested in being recognized would certainly embrace.

Page data

Page
1
Source index
0
Type
photo
Media ID
b2497d10041c0e94
Size
unknown

Document data

ID
38321
Core
obj
Type
object
DTO data
{
    "id": "38321",
    "sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/86.1",
    "contentType": "object",
    "stage": "normalized",
    "title": "Hair Ornament",
    "description": "This pair of ornaments (with Walters 86.14) and headdress (Walters 86.3) were likely once worn by the empress dowager, the effective ruler of China during the later years of the Qing Dynasty. It is an exquisite example of Chinese decoration and the symbolism used to express one's rank. The small phoenixes emerging from the surface represent the empress, while the myriad of pearls and gemstones mark this piece as something special for the adornment of the highest ranking woman in Chinese society. The brilliant blue feathers of the kingfisher give these accessories an eye-catching quality that anyone interested in being recognized would certainly embrace.",
    "provenance": "Auguste F. Chamot [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1907 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.",
    "date": "19th century",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/86.1",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Textiles",
        "hair ornaments"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_86.1_Fnt_DD_T08.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_86.1_Fnt_DD_T08.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_86.1_Fnt_DD_T08.jpg",
    "imageCount": 1,
    "pageCount": 1,
    "source": "import",
    "dimensions": [
        {
            "units": "cm",
            "width": 14.2,
            "height": 12.8,
            "depth": 2.5
        }
    ],
    "dimensionsRaw": "H with stem: 5 9/16 × W: 5 1/16 × D: 1 in. (14.2 × 12.8 × 2.5 cm)"
}

Context sent to Scholar

Document identity
{
    "localId": "38321",
    "label": "Hair Ornament",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/86.1"
}
Document source metadata
{
    "id": "38321",
    "sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/86.1",
    "contentType": "object",
    "stage": "normalized",
    "title": "Hair Ornament",
    "description": "This pair of ornaments (with Walters 86.14) and headdress (Walters 86.3) were likely once worn by the empress dowager, the effective ruler of China during the later years of the Qing Dynasty. It is an exquisite example of Chinese decoration and the symbolism used to express one's rank. The small phoenixes emerging from the surface represent the empress, while the myriad of pearls and gemstones mark this piece as something special for the adornment of the highest ranking woman in Chinese society. The brilliant blue feathers of the kingfisher give these accessories an eye-catching quality that anyone interested in being recognized would certainly embrace.",
    "provenance": "Auguste F. Chamot [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1907 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.",
    "date": "19th century",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/86.1",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Textiles",
        "hair ornaments"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_86.1_Fnt_DD_T08.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_86.1_Fnt_DD_T08.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_86.1_Fnt_DD_T08.jpg",
    "imageCount": 1,
    "pageCount": 1,
    "source": "import",
    "dimensions": [
        {
            "units": "cm",
            "width": 14.2,
            "height": 12.8,
            "depth": 2.5
        }
    ],
    "dimensionsRaw": "H with stem: 5 9/16 × W: 5 1/16 × D: 1 in. (14.2 × 12.8 × 2.5 cm)"
}
Document source extras
{
    "cul": "Chinese",
    "RelatedObjects": [
        "24285",
        "38193"
    ],
    "med": "gilded silver, silk thread, kingfisher feathers, pearls, glass beads, rubies",
    "creator_ids": [
        "6238"
    ],
    "collection_ids": [
        "CHN",
        "JWL"
    ],
    "exhibition_ids": [
        "1954"
    ]
}
Page context
{
    "seq": 1,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "photo",
    "url": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/raw/PS1_86.1_Fnt_DD_T08.jpg",
    "mediaId": "b2497d10041c0e94"
}