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19th Century Civil Rank Badge with Mandarin Duck

$1,650

£1,250.35

€1,440.89

CA$2,333.56

A$2,509.54

CHF 1,341.86

MX$30,264.38

NOK 16,968.71

SEK 15,460.68

DKK 10,766.61

About the Item

Qing Dynasty silk embroidery rank badge decorated with a Mandarin duck, denoting an official of the Seventh Rank. Badges with ducks are relatively rare. This badge depicts a Mandarin duck, its wings outstretched, standing on one foot on a blue rock above the sea. The bird faces an orange, which symbolizes the Emperor and serves as a focal point for the bird to look up to and revere. Five bats (auspicious symbols) flutter among scrolling clouds between two flowering plants. The Chinese word for bat, "fu," is a homonym for good fortune, and can symbolize longevity and happiness. The decor is rendered in satin stich, with couched gold thread forming the decorative spirals in the background. Couching is a technique that consists of using silk threads covered in gold foil laid down side by side, then caught in place by tiny stitches of silk thread. The Chinese tradition of wearing rank badges (buzi), also known as Mandarin squares, to demonstrate civil, military or imperial rank began in 1391 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and continued throughout the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). These insignia were sewn onto or woven into the wearer’s garments to indicate their rank. Attached to the front and back of a ceremonial robe, rank badges were woven in pairs with identical imagery. One remained in one piece; the other was divided vertically up the center to attach to the front of a robe with a center opening, as this one is. A badge featuring a bird identified the wearer as a civil official. To attain such a position required years of intense study, so birds may have been selected because of their literary associations. Each rank was represented by a different species, and while there were slight variations over time, by the Qing Dynasty the order from highest to lowest was: (1) crane, (2) golden pheasant, (3) peacock, (4) wild goose, (5) silver pheasant, (6) egret, (7) mandarin duck, (8) quail and (9) paradise flycatcher. The Mandarin duck, denoting an official of the Seventh Rank, can be recognized by its blue tail and the distinctive mallard coloring of its feathers. Because the badge is split down the middle, rather than in one piece, it was meant for the front of the official's robe.

Dimensions:
Height: 10.75 in (27.31 cm)Width: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.26 mm)
Materials and Techniques:
Silk,Embroidered
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1800-1890
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. The central image is in excellent condition. There is some unraveling of the archaic key pattern border.
Seller Location:
Atlanta, GA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7220243429892

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