Miao Silver Ceremonial Hat

Coiled silver cones bristle from the top. Long chains fall well below the rim.

This Miao silver ceremonial hat comes from southeastern Guizhou Province, China, and dates to the early to mid 20th century. It is worked in repousse, with multiple horns, figurative side panels and dangles. In Guizhou, Miao girls and young women wear silver headdresses like this at festivals and weddings, showing family wealth, and styles differ from one community to the next. Here, pointed coils crowd the domed crown above a band of rectangular panels showing figures and riders. Two long chains hang from the rim, ending in clusters of cone-shaped dangles. Six and a half inches high and 8 in diameter.

Stillness would be wasted on it.