Chinese Qing Dynsty Embroidered Civil Rank Silver Pheasant Badge Robe Set Framed

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Vintage, mid - 20th century, set of Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) style, hand embroidered silk 5th rank Civil Rank Badges … Read more Vintage, mid - 20th century, set of Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) style, hand embroidered silk 5th rank Civil Rank Badges in vintage black enamel and mottled gold frames with new archival matting. These striking hand made silk pieces were carefully crafted to include all the traditional detailing of the antique badges worn by the 5th civil rank officials who were mid-level bureaucrats (deputy commissioners) in the imperial court. The silk squares, made as souvenirs for export, have fine satin embroidery of silk threads in the "Five Colors" of the Qing Dynasty designs. The central image depicts a silver pheasant, a symbol of beauty and social order, looking up to a red sun, which represents the emperor, showing his loyalty. The pheasant is shown in the classical white body, 5 long tail feathers and serrated pattern on the plumage. The background shows clouds, trees, still water patterns (stripes) and jagged rock-like shapes representing the earth. The border is done in a combination of key and floral motifs. One badge intended as a "front" robe badge, originally split in 2 to allow for each side to be mounted on either side of the front opening of an official's robe, has been sewn together into a square. Each frame measures 15 3/4" wide by 13 1/4" high and 1/2" deep and weighs 2 lbs 1 oz. The solid badge measures 9" wide and 8 1/8" high and the slit badge - sewn together - is 8 3/4" wide and 8 1/8" high. These collector badges were hand embroidered with silk threads on a blue silk background or base fabric, both which have been carefully mounted on acid free mat board with natural white silk thread to hold them in place and matted with grey-blue archival, acid free, raw silk covered mats, backerboards and frame sealing tape. The matting materials as well as the hanging hardware are new, although the frames and glass are from the original framing done in the 1960s. A wonderful set, ready to hang together in a small space or separately as symmetrical accents above tables or to flank the sides of a cabinet. See less