After two years of meticulous restoration, an 8th‑century Tibetan crown is captivating audiences at the Haixi Prefecture Ethnic Museum. This awe‑inspiring treasure features intricate dragon, phoenix, and lion motifs, inlaid with sparkling gemstones and cascading pearl plumes that bring to mind a scene straight out of a fantasy epic! 🎉
Unearthed in 2019 during a salvage excavation of the Quangou tomb—dating back to the Tibetan Empire period—the crown was discovered tucked away in a collapsed wooden box within a secret chamber. Its fragile metal, measuring less than 200 microns thick (about the combined thickness of three A4 sheets), had become as porous as bone due to high‑altitude salt‑alkaline erosion, making the restoration a true challenge.
The restoration team employed innovative laser‑welding techniques and delicate one‑millimeter stitches to reassemble every fragmented piece, carefully repositioning over 2,400 gemstones and pearls. Guided by excavation imagery, microscopic photos, and X‑ray scans, they even refined eleven different structural models — sometimes debating the placement of a single bead for days! ✨
Now, housed in a temperature‑controlled case alongside a turquoise‑inlaid gold cup bearing Central Asian artistic touches, the crown is presented on a dynamic 3D interactive display. Slowly rotating, it allows visitors to explore every exquisite detail, highlighting the rich cultural exchanges along the Qinghai route of the Silk Road.
This blend of modern technology and ancient artistry not only revives a remarkable piece of history but also inspires curious minds, travelers, and young culture enthusiasts alike.
Reference(s):
Restored 8th-Century Tibetan Crown from Qinghai Tomb Dazzles at Museum
cctv.com
