Artwork Page for Rank Badge (buzi)

Details / Information for Rank Badge (buzi)

Rank Badge (buzi)

1736–95

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign

(1736–95)
Medium
silk, satin weave; silk embroidery
Measurements
Overall: 31.8 x 30.5 cm (12 1/2 x 12 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1948.69
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

A rank badge with a crane indicates a first rank civil official.

Description

Rank badges (also called rank insignia or Mandarin squares) were used in China during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties to demonstrate the wearer’s rank. In 1391 new clothing regulations directed court officials to wear decorative squares indicating their rank—birds for civil officials and animals for military officials. During the Qing dynasty rank badge design was regulated, and certain creatures were associated with specific ranks. Qing badges depict a representation of the universe with a landscape and a central creature, surrounded by clouds and facing the sun. The sun represented the emperor and this composition showed the official’s loyalty to him. An official’s wife wore rank badges that mirrored her husband’s. Most of the examples in CMA’s collection depict creatures facing a sun on the left. Attached to the front and back of a ceremonial robe, rank badges were woven in pairs with identical imagery. One was divided vertically up the center to attach to the front of a robe with a center opening. Rank badges are generally square or rectangular, although round examples exist. They are typically satin weave or slit tapestry weave (kesi) silk. Satin weave badges often have dark backgrounds with silk and/or metal thread embroidery. Some badges incorporate peacock feathers or beads. Late in the Qing dynasty appliqué replaced embroidery to allow for quicker production and a change in rank.
An embroidered square depicts a central flying crane, a white bird with outstretched wings and long blue legs. Stylized blue and green waves ripple at the bottom. To the right, a gnarled tree with red fruit rises from blue rocks. A small red sun sits among colorful swirling clouds in the upper left. A gold geometric border frames the scene against a background of repeating circular motifs.

Rank Badge (buzi)

1736–95

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork