Fine gilt Baxian Guan Headdress for Bride

This is an ornate Indonesian Chinese Peranakan headdress for a bride of the late 19th century. There are silver gilt eight immortals or baxian guan running along the front of the headdress. Auspicious and protective motifs of deities were frequently employed on Peranakan wedding headdresses to protect the wearer from malevolent spiritual forces as they went through various wedding rites.