Framed Fine Embroidered Second Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty

Description

A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank … more A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese as Buzi. The design is centered by a golden peasant, the symbol of the second rank official in the court of Qing Dynasty. The bird with its wings spread looks up at a full red sun on the upper left corner. This location as well as that it has a split in the middle (uncut) indicating that it was designated to the front of the robe worn by the male official. The sun, the golden peasant, the Li-shui waves, motifs such as eight Buddhist jewels that surround the bird were all done in brilliant metallic threads. Notably, the border has triple layers, each with distinctive design. The panel was mostly created with fine couching stiches facilitated with long and short satin stiches, mostly found on the border. less