A pair of Mandarin squares, or rank badges. The two rectangular badges are embroidered on one piece of background fabric which is lined as one piece, so is not a genuine set of rank badges. It is fairly crudely executed and is smaller than genuine rank badges. A lime green, long-tailed bird is depicted standing on a rock in the sea, surrounded by pink flower blossom, a pink flower and an unidentified symbol, together with blue and white clouds. The sun is in the top right hand corner. The textile is made with a black background fabric, probably silk, and couched multicoloured silks, possibly artificial, and gold-coloured metal-wrapped thread. The imagery is framed with a fret border and the piece is lined with blue tabby woven silk. Accompanying documentation lists the bird as a golden pheasant, the emblem of rank of a civil official of the second rank.
rank insignia
Collection Information
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