Square embroidered textile rank badge, in size and style akin to a Chinese rank badge, or Mandarin square. It is made in two equal sized sections and sewn together along one selvedge. In the centre is depicted a tiger standing on a plinth with its body facing away but with its head twisted towards a red sun located in the top right hand corner. As the sun is placed at the top right rather than the top left of the square signifies it was worn by the wife of a fourth rank military officer, rather than the officeholder himself. Other motifs include a purple, white and green endlesss knot, purple fish, a lotus flower and a parasol, set against a key patterned ground, worked in two tones of blue, using the 'wan' or swastika motif. Artificial silks are used, embroidered in satin stitch, worked in one direction only, onto canvas. The textile is lined with a pale blue tabby woven silk (?) fabric.
badge of office; textile
Collection Information
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