Man's Summer Court Hat with Peacock Feather
Unknown Artist
Medium
Basketry, silk, glass
Dimensions
a: 8 1/4 x 12 1/4 in. (20.95 x 31.11 cm) b: 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Alice Boney, 1962
Accession Number
62.30.3a, b
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911) with this exquisite *Man's Summer Court Hat Peacock Feather*. Crafted elite male officials attending summer court sessions, the hat reflects the era's rigid imperial hierarchy and seasonal practicality. Lighter than winter counterparts, it allowed airflow in Beijing's humid summers while signaling status through its elaborate design—most notably, the vibrant peacock feather, a coveted symbol of merit and rank awarded to high-performing bureaucrats. The hat showcases masterful Qing craftsmanship in basketry, likely bamboo or ratta...