Qing Dynasty
Height: 6.7cm
Diameter: 1.7cm

The plume-holders are cylindrical and hollow inside, with a holed semi-circular knob at one end. 

A plume-holder is an ornament for holding plumes on the hat going with a Qing-Dynasty official's formal dress. Qing-Dynasty officials and imperial clan members would be granted plumes when they achieved exploits. Made of peacock tail feathers, the plumes were in three degrees: one-eyed, two-eyed and three-eyed, with the three-eyed plumes indicating the highest degree of honor. The eye refers to the eye-shaped circles on the peacock tail feathers. The plumes were meant to be inserted into a plume-holder and worn at the back of the hat.