Rank Badge
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This roundel is probably intended to be a rank badge for a court official of the Manchu-ruled Qing Dynasty of China (1644-1911). Such badges were made to adorn the front and back of a navy blue surcoat worn by court officials during ceremonial and courtly functions. The roundel is formed of two semi-circular parts, suggesting that it was made to be appended to the front of the coat. The two halves may have been joined latterly to form a decorative panel.
Stylised images of birds and animals were respectively used to indicate the different ranks of civil and military officials. This badge depicts a stylised silver egret, and would have been worn by a Civil Official of the Fifth Rank.
Stylised images of birds and animals were respectively used to indicate the different ranks of civil and military officials. This badge depicts a stylised silver egret, and would have been worn by a Civil Official of the Fifth Rank.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk satin embroidered with coloured silks and gold thread |
| Brief description | Rank badge, silk satin embroidered with coloured silks and gold thread, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century. |
| Physical description | Embroidered rank badge in the shape of a roundel, formed of two halves. Embroidery on navy blue ground silk in satin stitch with gold couched embroidery and seed stitches. Depicts a stylised Silver Pheasant. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support |
| Object history | Registered File number 1947/374. From the collection of Bernard Vuilleumier. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This roundel is probably intended to be a rank badge for a court official of the Manchu-ruled Qing Dynasty of China (1644-1911). Such badges were made to adorn the front and back of a navy blue surcoat worn by court officials during ceremonial and courtly functions. The roundel is formed of two semi-circular parts, suggesting that it was made to be appended to the front of the coat. The two halves may have been joined latterly to form a decorative panel. Stylised images of birds and animals were respectively used to indicate the different ranks of civil and military officials. This badge depicts a stylised silver egret, and would have been worn by a Civil Official of the Fifth Rank. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.240-1948 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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