Chinese Civilian Rank Badge (Mandarin Duck)

This Chinese civilian rank badge was made in China in the 19th century. It is made out of silk and metallic thread.

Rank badges were worn on surcoats to identify an individual’s governmental standing. The badges were made in two halves so they could be placed on either side of a font-opening coat. Wives and children wore the rank badge of their father or husband. Different animals represented different ranks, and the way the animal was position often indicates if the badge was made for a man or woman.

This is a man’s seventh rank badge, featuring a left facing mandarin duck perched atop rocks in a celestial landscape with auspicious symbols amid surrounding clouds. The fine and detailed work is done in kosu, a labor intensive tapestry technique, with additional painted details. The mandarin duck is identified by its neck with the feathers arranged in two tiers and its blue feathered body. This badge would be attached to the back of a surcoat.