A GOLD 'FLOWER' HAIR ORNAMENT QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

finely and intricately executed in gold filigree with thin twisted wires forming four delicate petals of a large flower head alternating with four slender petals chased with floral scrolls, centred with a receptacle which once possibly held a small precious stone (now missing) and surrounded by upright naturalistic stamens

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C., 1954-55, cat.no. 66.

Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, cat.no. 66.
A Botanical Excursion in the Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1965, 19a.
Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Ulricehamn, 1999, pl. 65.

The centre stone or pearl is missing as it a 2nd stone that may have been on the petal. However the overall condition is still quite good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

See a hair ornament with similar arrangement of the floral petals, attributed to the Yuan dynasty, illustrated in Yang Boda, 'Ancient Chinese Cultures of Gold Jewellery and Ornamentation', Arts of Asia, vol. 38, no. 2, March-April 2008, p.106.