Description:

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A collection of three silk rank badges: two for the arms and one purposefully split into two pieces for the chest. The motifs include cranes and a dragon, with superb silk thread embroidery outlined in metallic silvery and coppery threads. Rank badges were worn on clothing to signify the wearer's civil court position, with birds representing the nine official ranks - the crane symbolized the first civil rank. The chest badge is split in two to accommodate the surcoat's central opening, allowing it to be sewn symmetrically. Civil officials were always positioned to the emperor's left, and badges were sewn so the sun and bird faced the corner closest to the emperor, symbolizing loyalty and proximity to imperial authority. A dragon with five claws represented the highest rank, reserved for the emperor or immediate imperial family, while lower-ranking officials had dragons with fewer claws. Size of dragon: 10.5" L x 10.5" W (26.7 cm x 26.7 cm); crane: 11.5" L x 11.5" W (29.2 cm x 29.2 cm)

Unsurprisingly higher-ranking civil officials may have aquired many badges over their career - with rank came wealth and the ability to purchase luxury attire. In contrast, lower-ranking officials, like secretaries and prison wardens, had fewer opportunities for promotion or purchasing elaborate wardrobes and badges. As a result, low-ranking officials were often buried in their best clothes, and thus today there is a large number of high ranking badges but few low ranks represented.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

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#190417

  • Condition: Excellent. Some minor pulling to threads.

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December 20, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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