Physical description
Kesi tapestry woven rank badge, with peacock feathers woven into the background, depicting a stylised pheasant in a cosmic setting. The implements of the Eight Immortals adorn the sky.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
19th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Silk tapestry (kesi)
Dimensions
Length: 31.5 cm, Width: 31 cm
Object history note
Registered File number 9901/1926.
Descriptive line
Rank badge, silk tapestry (kesi), Qing dynasty, 19th century
Materials
Silk (textile)
Techniques
Tapestry
Subjects depicted
Emblems; Peacocks
Categories
Textiles; Clothing
Collection
East Asia Collection
This is a rank badge for a court official of the Manchu-ruled Qing Dynasty of China (1644 - 1911). It is one of a pair, and both badges were made to adorn the front and back of a navy blue surcoat worn by court officials during ceremonial and courtly functions.
Stylised images of birds and animals were respectively used to indicate the different ranks of civil and military officials. This badge depicts a stylised pheasant, and would have been worn by a Civil Official of the Second Rank.