hair ornament

Cai Xinchun, artist

hair ornament, late 1800s–early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

Where object was made: China

Material/technique: gold filigree; pearl; brass; jade; glass; diancui

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 17.5 x 9 cm
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 6 7/8 x 3 9/16 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.0324

Not on display

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Collection Cards: Mindful

The brilliant blue of the mythical bird on this hair pin is made with real feathers from the kingfisher bird. When this hair pin was made, kingfisher feathers were more valuable than gold. Today, certain kingfishers in China are protected and endangered species because they were hunted so much for their feathers.

Choose a color from the bar across the top. Why did you choose that color? How does it make you feel? Use your favorite art material to match the color you chose and create an imaginary creature in that hue. Compare this hair pin with others shown in the Collection Cards

Salina Art Center: Shattering the Void: Realms of Meaning in East Asian Art

This hair ornament features a phoenix, a mythological bird that only appears in places blessed with peace and prosperity. The blue inlay of the bird’s feathers is made from real feathers from a kingfisher.

Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU

In Edo-period Japan (1600–1868), courtesans would select kanzashi, or hairpins, according to their rank. Young courtesans and kamuro (courtesans-in-training) wore bira kanzashi. Bira referred to the gentle tinkling sound made by the dangling ornaments of the hairpin whenever the courtesan moved her head.