Headdress Ornament

A gilt metal hairpin topped by a flower-like ornament of iridescent blue feathers set in gold filigree wire, with a small central bloom of gilt beads. The slender shaft rises from a rounded finial and is set against a plain grey backdrop. The piece is shown in close frontal view, emphasizing its glossy turquoise tones and delicate craftsmanship.

Look closer: A small round central bead of gilt sits in the middle of the flower, with fine granulated detail along the leaf edges.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1700s or 1800s

Medium

Copper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

1703 × 2048 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Ginaven