Rank Badge with Peacock
Unknown Artist
late 18th–early 19th century
Medium
Silk, metallic thread on silk
Dimensions
12 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. (31.75 x 31.75 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929
Accession Number
30.75.913
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Rank Badge with Peacock**, crafted in late 18th– 19th-century China during the Qing dynasty (4–1911), is a finely embroidered square of silk adorned with metallic threads. Worn on officials' robes, these mandarin squares publicly displayed rank and status in imperial bureaucracy—peacocks denoted high-ranking civil servants, symbolizing beauty, dignity, and protection, while bats fluttering nearby represented good fortune (fu in Chinese, evoking blessings and longevity). The embroidery technique showcases masterful Qing textile artistry: intricate stitching with shimmering gol...