Materials · organic

Pearl

珍珠

zhenzhu

Freshwater and saltwater pearls, used as beads, inlay and stringing. Prominent in Qing court ornament.

Objects in this material

Pendant of gold mounts set with carved green jade, with a suspension loop at the top

Pendant

Pendant

Qing Dynastygold, carved green jade, rose quartz, and seed pearls

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilt silver and pearl hairpin, ming dynasty, 13.3 cm long.

Zan (hairpin)

Hairpin

Ming DynastyGilt silver, pearl

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pearl, kingfisher feather, amber and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty, 45.7 cm long.

Headdress fragment

Ornament for a Headdress

Qing DynastyAmber, pearl beads, coral, kingfisher blue

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pearl, kingfisher feather, amber and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty, 45.7 cm long.

Headdress fragment

Ornament for a Headdress

Qing DynastyAmber, pearl beads, coral, kingfisher blue

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pearl, kingfisher feather and amber hairpin, qing dynasty, 26.4 cm long.

Zan (hairpin)

Hairpin

Qing DynastyMetal, amber, pearl, feathers

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pearl, kingfisher feather and amber hairpin, qing dynasty, 26 cm long.

Zan (hairpin)

Hairpin

Qing DynastyMetal, amber, pearl, feathers

The Metropolitan Museum of Art