Late 19th Century Framed Chinese Qing Dynasty Embroidered Sixth Rank Badge

Details

Description

A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel framed in a wood frame circa late Qing dynasty 19th century. The … Read more A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel framed in a wood frame circa late Qing dynasty 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese as Buzi which was displayed in the front and back of the official robe to indicate one's rank status. The design is centered by an egret with spanning open wings, perched on a rock in above the Li-Shui wave pattern. The bird is the symbol of the sixth rank official in the court of Qing Dynasty. The panel has a split in the middle and the bird looks up at a full red sun on his slight upper left, indicating that it belonged to a frontal robe of a male official. The bird is surrounded by scrolling clouds and flying bats (symbol of good fortune). The embroidered border of golden threads was rendered by couching stiches in archaic key pattern. Long and short satin stiches of multi-color threads were used for the main imagery. The badge is float framed within a thick brocade mat and wood frame with traditional brass hanging hinge.
For a similar six rank badge with nearly identical design, see Accession Number: 69.1.12 in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. See less