Adornment Atlas
ExploreStoriesAboutOur research

Techniques

Kingfisher-feather inlay

点翠

diancui

A technique in which the iridescent blue-green feathers of the kingfisher are cut and glued onto a shaped metal backing to form imagery. Characteristic of Ming and Qing headdress ornament.

Objects using this technique

Group of eleven gilded silver headdress ornaments, each with a blue-green kingfisher-feather surface and glass-bead settings

Headdress fragment

Set of Headdress Ornaments

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress element with blue kingfisher-feather inlay and glass beads

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress ornament with turquoise-blue feather inlay and bead settings

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress ornament surfaced with iridescent kingfisher feathers

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress element with blue-green feather inlay and small glass beads

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress ornament with kingfisher-feather surface and beaded detail

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress element with turquoise feather inlay

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress ornament with blue feather inlay and beadwork

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress element surfaced with kingfisher feathers

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress ornament with blue kingfisher-feather decoration

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Gilded silver headdress element with turquoise feather surface and bead settings

Headdress fragment

Headdress Ornament

Qing DynastyCopper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Kingfisher feather headdress, qing dynasty, 17.8 cm high.

Guan (cap or crown)

Manchu Woman's Headdress

Qing DynastySemi-precious stones, imitation pearls, feathers

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade (nephrite), glass, kingfisher feather, amber, coral and carnelian headdress, qing dynasty, 20.3 cm high.

Guan (cap or crown)

Theatrical Headdress

Qing DynastyJade, amber, coral, carnelian, pearls, glass, feathers, gilt wire

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jadeite, gold and kingfisher feather headdress ornament, qing dynasty, 4.4 cm high.

Headdress fragment

Ornament for Headdress

Qing DynastyGold, feathers, seed pearls, moonstone, jadeite, garnet

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gold and kingfisher feather headdress ornament, qing dynasty, 7.6 cm long.

Headdress fragment

Fragment of Headdress

Qing DynastyGold, pearls, feathers

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gold and kingfisher feather headdress ornament, qing dynasty, 5.1 cm wide.

Headdress fragment

Fragment of Headdress

Qing DynastyGold, feathers, pearls

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gold and kingfisher feather headdress ornament, qing dynasty, 5.7 cm wide.

Headdress fragment

Fragment of Headdress

Qing DynastyGold, feathers, pearls

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gold and kingfisher feather headdress ornament, qing dynasty, 7.5 cm wide.

Headdress fragment

Fragment of Headdress

Qing DynastyGold, feathers, pearls

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

Jade (nephrite), glass, kingfisher feather and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty.

Headdress fragment

Ornaments for Manzhu Hat

Qing DynastyMetal, feathers, jade, seed pearls, topaz coral, glass

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade (nephrite), glass, kingfisher feather and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty.

Headdress fragment

Ornaments for Manzhu Hat

Qing DynastyMetal, feathers, jade, seed pearls, coral, topaz, glass

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade (nephrite), glass, kingfisher feather and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty.

Headdress fragment

Ornaments for Manzhu Hat

Qing DynastyMetal, feathers, jade, seed pearls, coral, topaz, glass

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade (nephrite), glass, kingfisher feather and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty.

Headdress fragment

Ornaments for Manzhu Hat

Qing DynastyMetal, feathers, jade, seed pearls, coral, topaz, glass

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade (nephrite), glass, kingfisher feather and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty.

Headdress fragment

Ornaments for Manzhu Hat

Qing DynastyMetal, feathers, jade, seed pearls, coral, topaz, glass

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade (nephrite), glass, kingfisher feather and coral headdress ornament, qing dynasty.

Headdress fragment

Ornaments for Manzhu Hat

Qing DynastyMetal, feathers, jade, seed pearls, coral, topaz, glass

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