Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1573–1620)
Overall height: 48.5 cm; Coronet height: 27 cm; Diameter: 23.7 cm; Weight: 2,320 g
Unearthed in 1957 from the Ming Dingling Mausoleum in Beijing

This phoenix coronet, worn by Empress Xiaoduan, was made with a lacquered bamboo framework forming the base and silk fabric as the outer covering. The front is adorned with nine golden dragons, each holding a pearl drop in its mouth. Beneath them are eight gold phoenixes decorated with kingfisher feathers, while the back is also fitted with one gold phoenix, forming a total of nine dragons and nine phoenixes. The coronet is set with more than 100 gemstones and over 4,000 pearls. Majestic in form and exquisitely crafted, it incorporates multiple traditional techniques, including filigree, kingfisher-feather inlay, and gemstone setting.