Hat Stand
ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Hat stands were made in a wide range of materials. This is a rare example of one made of porcelain then covered in black lacquer and inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) a hat stand was as much for display as for utilitarian purpose. Chinese state officials had always worn hats as part of the court costume, but it was only during the Qing reign period that statutes were established to specify different hat finials for the nine ranks of state officials. This made it possible to tell the rank of an official at a glance. Officials of higher ranks found it advantageous to display their hats in a conspicuous place. As a result the hat stand was born.
In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) a hat stand was as much for display as for utilitarian purpose. Chinese state officials had always worn hats as part of the court costume, but it was only during the Qing reign period that statutes were established to specify different hat finials for the nine ranks of state officials. This made it possible to tell the rank of an official at a glance. Officials of higher ranks found it advantageous to display their hats in a conspicuous place. As a result the hat stand was born.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain body covered with brown lacquer and inlaid with mother-of-pearl |
| Brief description | Hat stand, laquered porcelain and inlaid with mother of pearl, China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), ca.1700 |
| Physical description | Hat-stand of porcelain, tapering body with spherical orb at the top, covered with brown lacquer and inlaid with mother-of-pearl |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Purchased from Dr. S. W. Bushell, accessioned in 1883. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Hat stands were made in a wide range of materials. This is a rare example of one made of porcelain then covered in black lacquer and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) a hat stand was as much for display as for utilitarian purpose. Chinese state officials had always worn hats as part of the court costume, but it was only during the Qing reign period that statutes were established to specify different hat finials for the nine ranks of state officials. This made it possible to tell the rank of an official at a glance. Officials of higher ranks found it advantageous to display their hats in a conspicuous place. As a result the hat stand was born. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 118-1883 |
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| Record created | September 16, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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