Qing Court Pearl & Semi-Precious Stone Hat Ornament

This ornament was made to be sewn onto clothing, most probably a hat, at the Qing Court. It comprises a gilded silver frame to which many small pearls and other semi-precious stones such as jadeite, spinels and tourmaline have been attached and suspended.

Ornaments such as these became available in the early 20th century with the collapse of the Qing Court in Peking (Beijing) and palace officials smuggled out from the palace such items to sell to raise cash.

It is in a stable condition and could be worn as a pendant.