Physical description
Rank badge from the front of a robe or surcoat (the square is divided) showing a qilin, the badge of a military official of the 1st rank. The blue silk gauze ground is embroidered with coloured silks in tent stitches and couched gold thread.
The qilin is almost entirely in couched gold thread. The animal is set on a rock above waves and water. The remainder of the ground is embroidered with an all-over swastika fret pattern in blue, and coloured clouds. The square has a key-fret border entirely in couched gold thread.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
ca. 1800 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Silk gauze with silk and gilt thread embroidery
Dimensions
Length: 30.5 cm, Width: 29.9 cm, Length: 12 in, Width: 11.75 in
Object history note
Purchased. Registered File number 1971/1491.
Descriptive line
Rank badge, blue silk gauze with coloured silk and gilt thread embroidery, China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1800
Materials
Silk (textile); Silk thread; Metal thread
Techniques
Gauze weave; Embroidering
Subjects depicted
Qilin; Rock; Water; Waves; Swastikas
Categories
Textiles; Embroidery; Formal wear
Collection
East Asia Collection