19th Century Chinese Rank Badges

Sold for £1,800

Downsizing their property, this vendor had a selection of inherited items they were ready to move on.
These embroidered rank badges or panels, from late nineteenth century China presented a popular lot on the day.
Panels measure 30cm x 28xm. Two are sewn together in two halves with a central seam and one is in one piece with a signature verso.

These panels or badges were applied to the front and back of a civil servant’s gown. The illustrated bird is a silver pheasant. The five tail feathers indicate the wearer of the badge was a fifth rank official, although probably this badge was worn by his wife.
Such badges, called buzi (補子) or Mandarin squares in the Western market, were indeed not restricted to men; also the wives of the officials were allowed the wear them for official occasions, although slightly altered. The red sun disk, generally thought to represent the Emperor, would be placed on the upper left hand corner for the man’s badge; that of his wife on the opposite side.