Chinese Civilian Rank Badge - Gold Pheasant Silk Embroidery

Description: Rank Badge with Golden Pheasant Period:Qing dynasty (16441911) Date:late 18th century Culture:China Medium:Silk, metallic thread Dimensions:11 x 11 in. Please refer to my photos. There are several areas where the thread has loosened from the silk backing. Measures @ 11" x 11" Rank badges (also called rank insignia or Mandarin squares) were used in China during the Ming (13681644) and Qing (16441911) dynasties to demonstrate the wearers rank. In 1391, new clothing regulations directed court officials to wear decorative squares indicating their rankbirds for civil officials and animals for military officials. During the Qing dynasty, rank badge design was regulated, and certain creatures were associated with specific ranks. Qing badges depict a representation of the universe with a landscape and a central creature, surrounded by clouds and facing the sun. The sun represented the emperor, and this composition showed the officials loyalty to him. An officials wife wore rank badges that mirrored her husbands. Most of the examples in CMAs collection depict creatures facing a sun on the left. Attached to the front and back of a ceremonial robe, rank badges were woven in pairs with identical imagery. One was divided vertically up the center to attach to the front of a robe with a center opening. Rank badges are generally square or rectangular, although round examples exist. They are typically satin weave or slit tapestry weave (kesi) silk. Satin weave badges often have dark backgrounds with silk and/or metal thread embroidery. Some badges incorporate peacock feathers or beads. Late in the Qing dynasty appliqu replaced embroidery to allow for quicker production and a change in rank.

Price: 800 USD

Location: Reno, Nevada

End Time: 2025-01-11T22:03:50.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD