Rank Badge Item Number: Edz1528 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular badge in two equal pieces (part a-b) with an embroidered bird, symbols and surrounding border. The bird is a mandarin duck, denoting a civil seventh rank official. The bird is multicoloured with a blue and white crest, tail and wings, green and yellow scale-like back and throat and red beak. It is in the centre, standing on one leg and facing left with head raised towards the red sun. Amidst a wave and cloud motif background there are symbols around the bird, including an endless knot, a narcissus and several bats. Around the edges of the badge is a gold meander border.
History Of Use
This badge would be worn on the front of a man's robe, evidenced by the fact that it s split down the middle.
Iconographic Meaning
The mandarin duck represents loyalty and denotes the 7th civil rank. The bird facing the sun in the upper left corner indicates that it would be worn by a man.
Item History
- Made in Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Collected between 1906 and 1924
- Owned by D. H. Reed, G. A. Reed and T. Gordon Reed before February 16, 1984
- Received from D. H. Reed (Donor), G. A. Reed (Donor) and T. Gordon Reed (Donor) on February 16, 1984
What
- Name
- Rank Badge
- Identification Number
- Edz1528 a-b
- Type of Item
- badge
- Material
- silk fibre ? and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- knot-stitch embroidered
- Part A
- height 29.2 cm, width 15.0 cm
- Part B
- height 29.2 cm, width 15.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- D. H. Reed, G. A. Reed and T. Gordon Reed
- Received from
- D. H. Reed (Donor), G. A. Reed (Donor) and T. Gordon Reed (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Chengdu, Sichuan, China
When
- Collection Date
- between 1906 and 1924
- Ownership Date
- before February 16, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on February 16, 1984
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0946/0012 a-b