Framed Chinese Qing Dynasty Embroidered Sixth Rank Badge

Description

A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel framed in a giltwood frame circa 19th century. The square rank badge … more A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel framed in a giltwood frame circa 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese as Buzi which was displayed in the front and back of the official robe to indicate one's rank status. The design of this rank badge is centered by a white egret with spanning open wings, perched on a rock in above the Li-Shui wave pattern. The bird is the symbol of the sixth rank official in the court of Qing Dynasty. Surrounded by auspicious clouds in shades of blue and the flying bats (symbols of fortune, the bird looks up at a full red sun on its upper right. This indicates that the Buzi used to belong to the back side of a robe worn by a male official. The embroidered border was rendered in archaic key pattern intertwined with scrolling vines. Long and short satin stiches of multi-color threads were used for most of the imagery. The sun was rendered in crouched stitches of tight red silk threads. The work is beautifully presented in a glazed gilt frame with complimentary blue color.
For a similar six rank badge with a similar design, see Accession Number: 69.1.12 in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. less