Miao Silver Ceremonial Hat

This unusual hat has been made from embossed silver. It has a domed form and has a tall central spike embellished with several horizontal disks also embossed.

The rim is decorated with sixteen pairs of circular embossed disks.

The hat is from the Miao ethnic minority of Guizhou province in South-western China. The Miao also live in Yunnan, Guangxi and Hunan, as well as across borders in northern Thailand for example.

Traditionally, Miao women wore elaborate silver headdresses and jewellery, particularly at weddings, harvest festivals, and other celebratory events. As well as being decorative, such silver also functioned as a portable store of wealth.

A similar example is illustrated in Daalder (2009, p. 274).

The hat has obvious age. There are minor dents and so on but no losses.