Rank Badge (China)

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Object Timeline

1944	We acquired this object.
2013	We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2024	You found it!

Rank Badge (China)

This is a Rank badge. We acquired it in 1944. Its technique is tapestry weave. It is a part of the Textiles department.

The theme of this richly colored gouache and ink drawing entitled “The Enchanted Isle of Beautiful Sounds” is communicated via a scene set in a lush, fantastical, eden-like, nature-filled landscape in which a lovely bare-breasted young female figure holding a lyre/harp is surrounded by various exotic birds, jumping fish, a panther, a rabbit, and deer. Overall it appears like a theatrical set in which the elements of land, water, sky, vegetation, human and animal figures are highly stylized, rendered flatly, with defined outlines. The ornamental details, and general impression is reminiscent of Eastern paintings. The figure wears a long floral skirt with an elaborate design, sitting low on her hips. A red shawl drapes over her right shoulder, sweeps behind her back and is caught up again in the crook of her left elbow like a sinuous wave, echoing the curve of the lyre which extends from her left hip up to her left hand. Her hair appears to be held by a decorative band around her forehead. She wears little black slippers. Her right hand is pointing to two deer looking up to her, if she was commanding them “sit/stay.” (The deer are in silhouetted, side by side; the one in the foreground is golden brown and overlaps the partially hidden one that is black.) Further to viewer’s left is a black rabbit sitting just behind/between the deer. A third deer is partially visible behind a knoll. Further to the very left is a golden tree with curving branches and lush foliage. Moving to (viewer’s) right of the figure, a black panther is outstretched at the woman’s feet. His two front paws and a portion of his hind and tail are visible on either side of her, the rest obscured by (behind) her skirt. skirt. Two tall-legged birds with long bills and black markings at the wings/neck/head (herons?) are to further to viewer’s right. The figure and animals are on hilly land depicted in gold with small flowers growing here and there. Behind the figure is a tall rounded amorphous shape which looks like a mountain or giant rock in a pale jade green color (celadon.) It is taller than she is and wider, and serves like theatrical backlighting around her and the elements near her. The sky behind and above the mountain is black topped by a canopy of pink stylized clouds that extend all across the drawing, like a valence or curtain across the top of a stage set. Throughout the scene are various exotic birds in flight, seen through and against leafy vines hanging from above. At the lower part of the scene fish are jumping out from a body of water with stylized undulating waves with little clumps of reeds protruding here and there. There is a floral/leafy patterned border going all around the rectangular drawing like a picture frame. The use of black in the sky and in some of the animals in contrast to the soft colors of jade, pink and cream, and the brightness of the “gold” areas contributes to the sense of mystery, drama and “enchantment” of this scene.

Object ID #18475707
brush and gouache, graphite on brown wove paper.
Gift of Hon. Arthur Crisp.
1971-96-1

Cite this object as

Rank Badge (China); 1944-33-9

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2DbDz/
Accession Number 1944-33-9
Object ID 18571459