Imperial Ming dynasty crown goes on display in Beijing

The National Museum of China in Beijing has arranged a new exhibition to showcase the imperial crown of Empress Xiaoduan from the Ming dynasty.

The crown weighs 2.320 grams and features 57 rubies, 58 sapphires, and over 4,000 pearls. It includes a frame of lacquered bamboo wrapped in silk and is decorated with nine dragons and nine phoenixes.

The new layout allows visitors to walk around the object to see details like a phoenix with blue kingfisher feathers on the back. Four exhibition sections describe the excavation and restoration of the crown, its ceremonial symbolism, and its influence on modern design.