Rank Badge with Bamboo, Cherry Sprays and Waves
Unknown Artist
late 19th–early 20th century
Medium
Silk, metallic thread
Dimensions
8 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (21.59 x 24.13 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Alice Boney, 1955
Accession Number
55.157.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Rank Badge, embroidered on silk shimmering metallic threads, hails from China's Qing dynasty (1644–1), specifically the late 19th to early 20th century Worn by officials on the front and back of their formal robes these badges were essential symbols of rank and status in the imperial bureaucracy, distinguishing civil servants (often with birds) from military officers ( beasts). Measuring a compact 8½ x 9½ inches, this piece exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship of Qing textiles, blending functionality with artistic splendor. The design features delicate bamboo stalks, blooming c...