CHINA Mandarin/Official’s Summer Hat (Chao Guan)

Mandarins were the educated civil servants during China’s last imperial dynasty, the Qing (1644-1911). As official headwear, a mandarin’s rank was indicated by the finial on top of the hat. The summer Chao Guan would be worn beginning in the third month of the traditional Chinese calendar and be replaced by a winter hat on the 8th month of the Chinese calendar.