Finely Woven Winter Hat Box

c. 1850
$1,480 USD SOLD
Dimensions
H: 11.0" Dia: 14.0"
Materials
Bamboo
Lacquer
Collection #
CMCL027
Estimated Shipping
$75

No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store one's hat were beautifully constructed.

Finely woven with an elaborate form, this 19th-century hat box likely belonged to an individual of rank and nobility. The round box would have been used to store a fine winter hat, known as jiguan or chaoguan. Such hats were constructed of decadent silks, trimmed with satin or fur, and topped with a beaded finial denoting rank. The tiered lid of this hat box accommodated the finial and preserved the hat's domed shape. Slotted holes on the underside function as a handle and recall the interlocking coin motif, a symbol of wealth and success. Richly textured, this sculptural box is a fantastic collector's item and a statement addition to the home.

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Andrea Goldman | Andrea Goldman Design

“Over the years, I’ve incorporated many pieces from PAGODA RED into my designs. Not only can they balance new furnishings (and often new construction) by feeling more established, but the pieces emanate a sense of rich history, often leaving you wondering where they were in a previous life. These beautiful pieces carefully hand-selected by the team at PAGODA RED, coupled with their unbelievable customer service, make them a must-have for any home.”

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