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Object Timeline
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1902 |
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2013 |
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2024 |
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Rank Badge (China)
This is a Rank badge. It is dated Ming dynasty, 1368–1644 and we acquired it in 1902. Its medium is silk, metallic yarns and its technique is plain weave with discontinuous wefts (tapestry or k'ossu), open slits. It is a part of the Textiles department.
This rare Ming dynasty rank badge would have been worn by a sixth rank civil official, woven into or appliquéd to a long, full-skirted red robe accompanied by a gem-inset hoop belt and black gauze winged hat. Square badges with birds or animals can be found in Yuan period (1271-1368) court clothing, but it was not until the Ming dress regulations of 1391 that animals and birds were systematically corresponded to civil and military ranks, and the term “rank badge” (buzi) appeared. The rank badge system proved both enduring and influential. It continued through the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and into the early Republic of China, and was adopted by neighboring vassal countries like Korea and Annam (central Vietnam). This elegant example shows a pair of white egrets circling each other in flight, set against the clouds rippling in broad bands of warm colors.
This object was
donated by
John Pierpont Morgan.
It is credited Gift of John Pierpont Morgan.
- Rank Badge (buzi) (China)
- silk, gilded paper.
- Gift of John Pierpont Morgan.
- 1902-1-433
- Man's Cap (laket) (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- raffia.
- Museum purchase from Au Panier Fleuri Fund.
- 1957-110-14
- Man's Two-horned Cap
- raffia, wool, cotton.
- Gift of Mrs. Benjamin Ginsburg.
- 1960-242-1
Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:
- Rank Badge (China)
- silk, metallic yarns.
- 1959-64-2
- Daoist Priest's Robe (China)
- silk, metallic yarns.
- Gift of Harvey Smith.
- 1968-135-77
- Asafo Flag (Ghana)
- cotton.
- Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. William Goulding and from General....
- 2009-2-1
Its dimensions are
H x W: 34.3 x 39.4 cm (13 1/2 x 15 1/2 in.)
Cite this object as
Rank Badge (China); silk, metallic yarns; H x W: 34.3 x 39.4 cm (13 1/2 x 15 1/2 in.); Gift of John Pierpont Morgan; 1902-1-432
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Making Design.
