Ming Empress Crown unearthed from Ding Ling dig

[Cecil Lee]

Ming Empress Crown

Numerous empress crowns were unearthed from Ding Ling.

This dragon crown design was made by embossing method that gives it a three-dimensional shape.

This crown uses colourbright coloured bird's feathers.

The crown is also decorated with pearls and gem stones. One of these crowns has more than 3,400 grains of pearls and more than 150 pieces of precious stones.

[Cecil Lee]

Jewelry of the Ming period

More than 200 pieces of jewelry were unearthed from Ding Ling.

Majority are hair pins and eardrops; made with gold, silver, pearl and precious stones.

The patterns on these items are mostly of good luck and happiness. The workmanship is superb, almost reaching near perfection.