Period:Qing dynasty (1644–1911) Date:18th–early 19th century Culture:China Medium:Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin Dimensions:9 3/4 x 10 1/4 in. (24.77 x 26.04 cm) Classification:Textiles-Embroidered Credit Line:Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929 Accession Number:30.75.986 The silver pheasant corresponds to the fifth civil rank. Conventionally in rank badges, the silver pheasant is represented in white with five serrated tail feathers. Occasionally the usual five are augmented with some thin parallel plumes, here shown in red, shading to pink and white. The gold of the waves is rendered in couching, the most common technique for embroidering with gold thread. In couching, the gold thread is laid on the surface and affixed to the foundation fabric with occasional stitches that do not obscure the gold.
Period:Qing dynasty (1644–1911) Date:18th–early 19th century Culture:China Medium:Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin Dimensions:9 3/4 x 10 1/4 in. (24.77 x 26.04 cm) Classification:Textiles-Embroidered Credit Line:Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929 Accession Number:30.75.986 The silver pheasant corresponds to the fifth civil rank. Conventionally in rank badges, the silver pheasant is represented in white with five serrated tail feathers. Occasionally the usual five are augmented with some thin parallel plumes, here shown in red, shading to pink and white. The gold of the waves is rendered in couching, the most common technique for embroidering with gold thread. In couching, the gold thread is laid on the surface and affixed to the foundation fabric with occasional stitches that do not obscure the gold.