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Rank Badge

1600 - 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This badge of rank is decorated in silk threads with a single crane holding the plant of eternal youth among stylised clouds, rocks and surging waves. It is edged with a double row of gold thread. During the Choson dynasty (1392-1910), rank badges became an important part of dress worn by civil officials. Worn on the chest, they represent the official rank of the wearer. The single crane, seen here, was worn by civil officials of lower rank.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk damask embroidered with coloured silks and gold thread
Brief description
Tex, Korea, Rank badge, blue silk damask embroidered with coloured silks and gold thread, Korea, Choson period, 1600-1700
Physical description
Silk damask rank badge, one of a set of two. Embroidered with coloured silks with some couched gold thread showing a a single crane holding the plant of eternal youth amongst stylized clouds, rocks and surging waves.
The remainder of the ground is embroidered with highly stylised waves, mountains and clouds. Out of the central rock outcrop stems a fungus plant which is partly embroidered with couched gold thread. The two badges are similar in style, detail and execution.
Dimensions
  • Height: 26.9cm
  • Width: 24.1cm
Style
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1971/1491.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This badge of rank is decorated in silk threads with a single crane holding the plant of eternal youth among stylised clouds, rocks and surging waves. It is edged with a double row of gold thread. During the Choson dynasty (1392-1910), rank badges became an important part of dress worn by civil officials. Worn on the chest, they represent the official rank of the wearer. The single crane, seen here, was worn by civil officials of lower rank.
Bibliographic references
  • McKillop, Beth. Korean Art and Design. London: V&A Publications, 1992. Plate 59, pp.135-137.
  • Wilkinson, Liz. Birds, Bats & Butterflies in Korean Art. London: Sun Tree Publishing, Singapore, 1996, pp.54-55.
  • Nick Pearce. 'The Samsung Gallery of Korean Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum' London: Arts of Asia vol.22 no.6, 1992. p.131, fig.18.
Collection
Accession number
FE.18:1-1971

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Record createdFebruary 14, 2000
Record URL
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