This is a 'fa lap', a headband which was very popular in China since the Ming Dynasty. The 'fa lap' was only worn by married women and was usually decorated with beadwork, gold or silver ornaments or jade flowers. The jade flowers on this 'fa lap' are however much older and date from the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The eight small Buddha’s are made of jadeite (fei tsui) and are younger and were most probably made towards the end of the 19th century. The headband dates from the late Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Width of headband 25 cm. Height 6 cm.