East Asia, China, Qing dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. An embroidered silk cloth panel known as a rank badge or Mandarin square with a symbolic silver pheasant. The textile is woven from dark blue, white, and various shades of blue and white. Some finer details are painted in ink, and shimmering golden threads are embroidered around the bird and red sun in the upper corner. The background is filled with clouds, flowers, and Buddhist symbols. Badges were worn on clothing to signify the wearer's civil court position and birds represented 9 official ranks. This silver pheasant is a 5th rank badge, identifiable by the head crest and 5 serrated tail feathers. Civil officials were always positioned on the emperor's left, and the badges were deliberately sewn with the sun and bird facing the corner that would be closest to his majesty, symbolizing loyalty, and proximity to the imperial authority. Size of textile: 11.25" L x 11.25" W (28.6 cm x 28.6 cm); frame: 12.125" L x 12.125" W (30.8 cm x 30.8 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010; ex-M. Kobayashi collection, Hawaii, USA

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#185298

Not examined outside of frame. Fading to red pigments with some staining and discoloration to lighter areas. Age related wear, a small tear on the fu bat, and fraying to upper right corner. Water / condensation damage to lower edges and white residue. We recommend professionally spot cleaning the textile and re-framing. Mounted in a vintage wood frame under glass with suspension wire on verso for display.