Five Chinese Mandarin Hat finials

Each mounted in gilt metal. Glass, imitating hard stone, including: an opaque pink glass of the Second Rank; one gilt metal button of the Seventh, Eighth or Ninth Rank; one milky white glass of the Sixth Rank; one opaque blue glass of the Fourth Rank, together with another. Height: 4 - 6 cm.

Mandarins were ranked in nine classes, the colour of the hat button indicating the rank.

See lot 180 in our auction, the Canton enamel dish, for an example of mandarin hat finials. The official depicted is wearing an opaque blue button.

Condition: For condition report, please contact the department here.

Provenance: A Swedish Private Collection.