Acquired in 1969, this delicate
Chinese headdress is magnificently decorated with feathers from
kingfisher birds. Centuries ago, kingfisher feather crowns (known
as feng guan) decorated with phoenix, dragons and precious
stones were only worn by Empresses in China. From the 19th century,
however, a headdress such as this would be worn either by a bride
on her wedding day or by an aristocratic lady on formal occasions,
as an indication of her wealth and status.
The origins of this crown are not known, however, its design and
condition suggest it may have been used as part of a Qing opera
costume, perhaps for a character representing an empress. For
example, the famous Tang empress Yang Guifei (719-756 CE), who
featured in many popular Chinese dramas, was said to have worn a
kingfisher crown, which fell to the ground as she was dragged away
by rebel troops and executed.
Bringing the headdress back to life
Unfortunately, the headdress arrived at the Museum in very poor
condition. Many parts of it were broken or even lost and several
components had been re-attached in the wrong position. Not least,
it was extremely dirty, which severely dulled the appearance of the
brilliant blue kingfisher feathers.
Bringing the headdress back to its original condition was the
focus of conservation student Lydia Messerschmidt’s internship in
the Artefacts section. By carrying out in-depth examination and
analysis, Lydia identified parts of the headdress requiring
stabilisation, as well as the correct placement for components such
as the phoenix heads, which adorn the sides and front rim.
Above: Lydia carefully cleaning the
kingfisher headdress.
She tested various materials and methods for the safe and
effective cleaning of the feathers and repair of the broken
elements.
Cleaning the feathers was a slow meticulous process that was
carried out under the microscope. Dirt was removed with tiny cotton
swabs, dipped into a cleaning solution. Only a small amount
of the solution was applied each time, to protect the delicate
feathers and underlying paper structure. Crushed ornaments were
re-formed through gentle physical manipulation and any breaks in
them were mended with an adhesive.
After three months of challenging work, Lydia finished the
treatment of this complex object with great success. Once again, it
is a headdress fit for a very special occasion.
Click on the images below to see the 'before and after' pictures
of the headdress.
The headdress on display
This splendid artefact takes pride of place in the Inspired by
Nature gallery in the transformed National Museum of Scotland. This
gallery will explore the different ways in which nature is
perceived and artistically re-imagined around the world, with a
focus on the natural materials and resources used to create
art.