Child accidentally damages hand-crafted golden wedding crown at China exhibition

A child accidentally damaged a hand-crafted golden wedding crown at a Beijing exhibition

A hand-crafted golden wedding crown was damaged after a child accidentally knocked it off its display during a free public exhibition in Beijing, triggering online debate over responsibility and compensation.

Footage from the event shows a young boy repeatedly leaning on a glass display cabinet before the protective cover tips forward, sending the crown crashing to the floor.

The video was shared on social media by Chinese blogger Zhang Kaiyi, who organised the exhibition with her husband, the crown’s designer. She described the piece as a one-of-a-kind wedding crown with deep personal and emotional significance, noting that it was not commercially available and difficult to value.

🇨🇳 A child accidentally damaged a gold wedding crown in a Beijing!

The piece, shaped like a phoenix and weighing about 2 kg of gold, belongs to influencer Zhang Kaiyi and was handmade by her husband.

The object is currently under appraisal; the labor cost alone is estimated… pic.twitter.com/3yF8S4X36R

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) December 16, 2025

Zhang said the video was posted to seek advice on assessing damage to a unique object, not to blame the child or his family. She later confirmed that she has not sought compensation, as the crown was insured. The exhibition was free to attend and not run for profit.

The incident sparked widespread online discussion, with legal experts cited by Chinese media saying compensation in such cases could range from repair costs to full loss value.

Jewellery specialists noted that repairing gold pieces can be as costly as remaking them, with labour alone potentially running into tens of thousands of pounds.