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Description:
This antique ( pre-1900) Chinese headdress / crown with beaded tassels and the long silk tassel ( see in in photos with the woman) is a real treasure that surely should be in a museum. I have many more photos so please email me to see them, because these four only show a tiny bit of the work that is involved in it. The headdress is a very important accessory in the Chinese Opera costume as it helps the audience to identify specific roles. Important characters wore ( and still do) more ornate and striking headdresses. These are very rare and you hardly ever see one for sale so don’t miss this at the last minute. A little information as to why this is so special follows : Accessories, including helmets and hats, constitute an integral part to bring about dramatic stage effects. The costumes are of a high value and are indeed priceless.Each is one of a kind. Peking Opera costumes show the beauty of traditional Chinese embroidery: surface embroidery with gold or silver threads; woolen embroidery with silk or gold threads, among many others. Every costume and accessory is a masterpiece of art and craft. One costume with elaborate designs and patterns may take a handicraftsman months or even years to finish. Peking Opera was born in the 55th year (1790) of the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). More than half a century later, the troupes combined and integrated stories and methods from the various popular opera styles they encountered, eventually resulted in Peking Opera. Unlike European operas, which usually concentrate on one kind of performance in one stage representation, Peking Opera integrates music, singing, dance, costume art, makeup, acting and acrobatics into a unique whole. Dan characters usually wear elaborate headdresses. Scholars and officials often wear simple black hats with two fins coming out from the sides. It is important for actors to wear the right hats as the fins denote an actor's character or rank. This hat has butterfly fins that are so elaborate and detailed they even have miniature mirrors and faux jewels. A young scholar from a well-to-do family will wear a richly embroidered hat and fins in the shape of two curled butterfly wings. I believe this hat would have been in that category. Costumes and accessories were mainly made of satin, crepe and silk and decorated with various meticulously embroidered patterns, and tell a character's sex and status at first glance, marking off people from all walks of life, noble or humble, civil or military. They primarily designate his or her role on the stage regardless of time and space. This headdress is made of stiffened paper and wire and has painted dragons and butterflies and so many intricate pieces to it that the photos will have to help me tell you all there is. This also has two soft puff balls in green and pin on each side, two hand beaded ( almost Indian like in the stitchery) tassels that hang from bells on each side , and one long tassel that is unattached (see photo of mannequin) that is very detailed and over 6inches long. There is a tie that would have held this to the actors head that is attached to the headdress. Intricate wire work has been added to the stiffened paper and gilded over to form beautiful patterns on the front. Intricate punch work that forms a screen like effect on the paper adds dimension. I can’t even imagine the time this took to make . The one tasseled side needs a little help and is missing part of an extra tassel to match the other side. Considering this is well over 130 years old and probably was worn in numerous performances, this is in very good condition. If you collect Asian antiques, or are a collector of the arts, then this piece will be one of your most prized additions. It is large and will fit most any head and I really hope it ends up in a place where it will be truly appreciated for all its history. Sold as is and it will have to be insured to wherever it goes. Since this is Irreplaceable there can be no returns on this sale. Please use photos to make your decisions.
| Status: For Sale |
Reference#: ga33635 |
| Condition:
VERY GOOD as is |
Year:
1850-1880
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| Title:
RARE Antique Chinese opera Headdress crown |
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