凤冠（正面）
The front side of the phoenix crown.
Phoenix Crown (Adorned with Kingfisher Feathers, Pearls, Gemstones, and Gold Dragons)
The phoenix crown adorned with kingfisher feathers, pearls, gemstones and gold dragons was unearthed in 1956 from the Dingling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty in Beijing. It belonged to Empress Xiaojing, wife of Emperor Wanli.
Phoenix crown refers to the ceremonial headgear worn by the empress when she accepted canonization, worshipped her ancestors, and participated in court meetings. This one is made of lacquered fine bamboo wires adorned with kingfisher feathers in the shape of auspicious clouds.
This technique is known as Diancui. The process is very complex: Craftsmen need to first weave a specially designed metal framework, then form the outlines of decorative patterns with metal wires, and finally paste kingfisher feathers onto the recesses between the lines.
These cloud-shaped ornaments feature fine hairs and a silky luster. The phoenix crown is inlaid with more than 100 rubies and sapphires as well as over 5,000 pearls. Everything on top of the crown is evenly distributed.
Three gold dragons were crafted with gold wires, of which the left and right hold jewels and tassels in their mouths. Two lifelike emerald-blue phoenixes were symmetrically arranged in the front part of the crown, which spread their wings as if they were flying.
At the back of the crown is a pair of bobin (headdress worn by women in ancient China to show their social status), which are inlaid with pearls and gemstones and stretch toward two sides like an unfolding fan. The crown brim is inset with flowers made of rubies, sapphires, and tiny pearls.
Combining the beauty of living beings and decorative motifs, the phoenix crown embodies the superb skills of Chinese craftsmen.
凤冠（背面）
The rear side of the phoenix crown.
凤冠（点翠嵌珍珠宝石金龙凤冠）
点翠嵌珍珠宝石金龙凤冠，1956年出土于北京明定陵，凤冠主人是万历皇帝的孝靖皇后。
凤冠是皇后在接受册封、祭祀祖先、参加朝会时所佩戴的冠冕。此凤冠以涂漆细竹丝编制，在此基础上，通体如意云片皆使用翠鸟羽毛装饰，称为点翠工艺。点翠工艺十分复杂，需要先以金属制成特定的架子，再用金属线勾勒出纹样轮廓，然后在线条间的凹陷处粘贴翠鸟羽毛。
这些如意云片，毛丝细密，有丝绢光泽。凤冠共镶嵌红蓝宝石一百多颗，珍珠五千余粒。冠顶部等距离排列着金丝编制的金龙三条，其中左右两条口衔珠宝流苏。冠前部有两只对称的翠蓝色凤凰，凤凰展翅呈飞翔状，栩栩如生。冠后部有一对“博鬓”（古代妇女头饰，也用于展示身份地位），上镶珍珠、宝石，以扇形向左右分开。冠口一周镶嵌花朵，由红蓝宝石及小米珠组成。
凤冠将生物之灵与装饰之美结合，体现了中国匠人高超的手工艺技能。
