Chinese Red Lacquer Hat Feather Case with a Single Eyed Peacock Plume, Qing Dynasty.
{Length: 15 1/4 inches (38.7 cm)}.
The elongated red lacquer case bears the four gilt characters jia guan jin jue ("May you advance in office and noble rank") on one side, with bamboo, peonies, and butterflies on the reverse. Both ends are decorated with gilt geometric patterns. The case contains a single-eyed peacock-feather plume.
Peacock plumes, known as hualing, were distinguished accessories of Qing official dress, attached through a plume holder to the back of the wearer's hat. Their use reflected noble standing, official appointments, and imperial recognition of meritorious service. They were classified as single eyed, double eyed, or triple eyed according to the number of eye-shaped markings, with the triple-eyed plume representing the highest distinction.
The inscription expresses a wish for promotion and advancement, complementing the plume’s association with status and honor. Bamboo evokes integrity and resilience, while peonies symbolize wealth and distinction. Together, the inscription and decoration convey wishes for an honorable and prosperous official career.
For comparison, see Hat Feather with Box, Qing dynasty, in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, object no. 66.191.17a, b.
Provenance: Hale Family Collection, Los Gatos, California.
Michaan's Auctions is honored to present nearly sixty works of Chinese and Japanese art collected over two generations of the Hale family in the October Gallery and Annex auctions. The collection reflects the family's enduring appreciation of East Asian art, with works distinguished by their authenticity, quality, and artistic interest. We are grateful to the family for their generous support and the opportunity to share this collection.
中国 清代 红漆描金“加官进爵”花翎盒，附单眼孔雀花翎
长15 1/4英寸（38.7厘米）。
长形漆盒以红漆为地，一面描金书“加官进爵”四字，另一面绘竹、牡丹与蝴蝶，两端饰描金几何纹。盒内附单眼孔雀花翎一支。
花翎是清代官员与贵族冠服中的重要饰物，以孔雀羽毛制成，经翎管插于帽后，垂于脑后，是身份与荣誉的象征。其佩戴与爵位、特定官职及皇帝赏赐有关，因功获赐花翎更被视为备受珍视的恩荣。花翎依羽毛上的眼状纹饰分为单眼、双眼及三眼，以三眼最为尊贵。
盒上“加官进爵”寓意仕途晋升、爵位增进，与花翎所象征的地位和荣誉相呼应。竹象征气节与坚韧，牡丹寓意富贵荣华，文字与纹饰共同寄托了对仕途显达、品格高洁及生活丰足的祝愿。
同类器物可比较纽约大都会艺术博物馆所藏清代《花翎及盒》（Hat Feather with Box），藏品编号66.191.17a, b。
来源：加州洛斯加托斯 Hale 家族收藏。
Michaan's Auctions 荣幸于 October Gallery 及 Annex 拍卖中推出 Hale 家族两代珍藏的近六十件中国与日本艺术品。这批收藏体现了家族对东亚艺术长期而深厚的喜爱，作品不仅真切可信，更兼具品质与艺术意趣。感谢家族的慷慨支持，使这批珍藏得以与广大藏家分享。
For condition report and additional photos, please contact the Asian Art Department.
