CORAL "KNOT" MANCHU IMPERIAL HAT FINIALS, a pair

CORAL "KNOT" MANCHU IMPERIAL HAT FINIALS, a pair

Natural Coral beads, each finial strung on silk in "knot" form, stitched onto the original threaded disk brass fitments

Circa : 1850 (mid 1800's), Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

Coral : Deep natural deep salmon-red beads of fine surface and polish, avg 2-3mm size range

Each knot measures 1" high x 1" diameter; each disk back, 5/8"diameter, has concentrically turned patterning

The finial's color and material designated wearer's rank; ranks were numbered 1-9.

Rank 1, the emperor, wore red (described as a twisted knob of red silk cord, ruby or similar transparent red stone).

Rank 2 wore red coral, including nobility and high officials of the Imperial Household, chancellor, minister, finance superintendent, Major General and certain governors

Ref : Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto),

# 97037 a ................................................................pair, $350.