Summer is a colorful season, with women wearing beautiful skirts and delicate accessories. In the ancient royal court, women had even more elaborate jewelry, evident in items in the Palace Museum's collections. From hair clasps to bracelets, the ornaments from the ancient royal court capture attention.

Dianhua from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Dianhua

Dianhua is a hair ornament made of gold, silver, jade or shell, and was made into the shape of flowers, or small animals such as birds, ducks and fish. The item originates from the Southern Dynasty (420-589) and was also quite popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Dianhua from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Hair clasps from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Hair clasp

Hair clasps were used to fix hair and be decorative. It could be made of metal, wood, bamboo, jade, ceramic or bone. Hair clasps, were inspired by flowers, vegetables, fruits and insects, often quite vivid. Since the invention of hairpins, the hair clasp has been rarely used by women.

Hair clasps from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Tassels from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Tassel

Tassels were commonly worn by Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) concubines, with the stem often engraved with patterns of lucid ganoderma, a Chinese mushroom, and double happiness or other auspicious images. The hanging pendent was often made of ruby or glass beads. A beautiful woman wearing a tassel seemed more elegant as the tassel swayed as she walks gently.

Tassels from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Earrings from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Earring

Earrings are a common accessory for women in modern and ancient times. The fine earrings from the Palace Museum are made of gold, silver, white jade, jadeite or pearl. As an important ornament, the earrings shall compliment the whole garment, makeup, and the occasion.

Earrings from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Bracelets from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Bracelet

Bracelets from the Qing Dynasty royal palace were usually made of coral, tourmaline, jadeite, agate, beeswax or crystal. Bracelets of different materials are bright in color, which are perfect ornaments for the summer.

Rings from the Palace Museum's collections. [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Ring

Rings are a major ornament to beautify women's hands. Some rings from the Palace Museum's collections are made of white jade, coral, jadeite, or gold, and are engraved with auspicious patterns.