The fengguan, or phoenix crown, was a traditional Chinese headdress worn by noblewomen, empresses, and brides during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Forged from a gold-plated base with delicate filigree and carvings, it’s crowned by golden phoenixes-symbols of prosperity and fertility. Rare blue inlays come from kingfisher feathers, a luxurious import that shimmers vividly. Pink and red flowers, crafted from enamel and silk, mingle with pearls, beads, and gemstones like rubies or corals in motifs of blooms, clouds, and leaves. Social rank shines through the design: an empress’s might boast twelve dragons and phoenixes, embedded with thousands of pearls and over hundred gems.