Gold Hat Ornament with Inlaid Sapphire

The Ming dynasty inherited the achievements in precious metal work from past dynasties and established a system of hereditary craftsmen, specializing in the creation of gold and silver objects for the palace. These craftsmen made great strides in the use of filigree and inlay techniques.

This hat ornament is set with seven gems on a three-tiered gold base. The bottom layer is a seven-petaled lotus flower in full bloom. The middle layer is a ten-petaled lotus, opening in the opposite direction to the flower below. The top layer of the base clutches a single natural sapphire in rhomboid claws.