Artheon MuseumArtheonMuseum

Man's Summer Court Hat with Peacock Feather

Unknown Artist

Man's Summer Court Hat with Peacock Feather by 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...

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