China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 13th to 16th century CE. Stunning stucco head of a princess or empress. Her beautiful face shows slightly pursed lips, eyes partially closed, pleasantly rounded face, long earlobes, dark hair pulled back wearing a colorful crown, perhaps the Phoenix crown which was worn by empresses, in shades of blue, green, red and pink. Such crowns, were all unique, but they were all quite elaborate oftentimes adorned with kingfisher and pheasant feathers, along with gold, pearls, and precious stones. 23"H (58.4 cm) including stand; 17" (43.2 cm) without stand.

The Ming Dynasty was able to rid China of the Mongolians and return to their traditional Chinese customs. Hung Wu was the founder of the Ming Dynasty and responsible for an agricultural revolution and reforestation that brought China to a more healthy state. However, there were also important women who contributed during the Ming Dynasty but have been excluded from most history books. By the turn of the fourteen century into the fifteenth century, the famous Forbidden City was built outside Beijing. Scholars believe that Empress Ma was instrumental in this monumental project where colors and directions of the building followed the philosophy of Feng Shui. Hung Wu cherished his wife and she served as an administrator, diplomat, and humanizing influence on her husband until she died. Another empress that is barely mentioned in the sources is Xiao Gong Zhang, who was married to the Emperor Xuande, the fifth emperor of the Ming Dynasty. She was also regent for her son from 1435-1442.
Both of these empresses wore the Phoenix crown like we see in this example, which was a symbol of virtue and grace to the Chinese, and also represented power and prosperity, as reflected in the position of empress. The crowns, were all unique, but they used kingfisher and pheasant feathers, along with gold, pearls, and precious stones. Because of their high status both of these women are buried in the famous Imperial Ming cemetery in Nanking.

Provenance: Ex-private M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii.

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#115402

Repairs to crown attachments, with some minor losses; repairs to top knot and one ear. Some wear to stucco and minor chips/losses on edges, but colors still clear and shape/form also very clear.