This embroidered panel denotes the 7th Official''s rank badge of a Mandarin Duck, and is wrought in blues, creams and golds on a navy blue ground.
Rank Badges would be worn on the front and back of the robes of exceptional scholars. From the moment a son was born he would be coached in the hope that he might attain such an honour, and in turn bring wealth and prosperity to his family.
The badge rank system was split between military denoted by animals, and civil which was marked with birds.A badge featuring a bird identified the wearer as a civil official who would sit to the Emperors left at functions -so the birds are facing right towards him!
These badges were incredibly hard to win with only one in a thousand people actually being successful. As you might imagine, something so hard worked for and highly prized, the badges are of the most beautiful quality - this has led to them becoming extremely collectable.
In the centre we can see the Mandarin Duck itself - perched
...atop a rock in the swirling sea, gazing up towards the sun and the Emperor. All around the bird are clouds, bats and flowers, whilst below the ocean swells with frothy waves dotted with knot-work and other sacred imagery.
The panel contains exquisite stitch-work, including the Peking Stitch - also known as ''The Forbidden Stitch'' as the stitches were so small it was believed that it could make the embroiderer go blind! Hopefully that didn''t happen to the person who crafted this beauty!
The back of the bird has beautiful feathering that is reminiscent of peacock feathers, and the blue tips of the wings really catch and change hue in the light.
The embroidery is 25cm by 25cm, and measures 32cm in its wooden frame. Please don''t hesitate to get in touch if I can provide any further information or photographs.
I offer free postage across Mainland UK, and am very happy t help with quotes for shipping abroad.
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1055031
Dateline of this antique is 19th Century
Height is 32cm (12.6inches)Width is 32cm (12.6inches)Depth is 3cm (1.2inches)
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