Title
Hat finial
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th centuries
Region
The Straits Settlements
Object Type
Dimension
Object size: 5.2 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm
Accession No.
2002-00514
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
This elaborate gold hat finial would have adorned the top of the mandarin hat, worn by a Peranakan Chinese bridegroom in the Straits Settlements. Hat finials were worn by the officials in Qing court in China as an indication of rank and were subsequently adopted by the Peranakans as part of the groom’s headgear. Peranakan hat finials could be made of filigree, such as this example, or gold with studded diamonds. Peranakan wedding outfits were elaborate; different accessories and outfits were required for the 12-day traditional Peranakan wedding ceremony.
