KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)

Details

A VERY RARE EMBROIDERED GOLD-GROUND RANK BADGE OF A LEOPARD, BUZI
KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)
Made for a third-rank military official, the badge is woven with a leopard with spotted fur, shown on top of a rock formation emerging from waves tossed with auspicious emblems, all against a ground of gold-wrapped threads interspersed with ruyi-shaped clouds and flames. Details of the leopard, rock formation, and borders are worked in green peacock feather filament.
12 in. (30.5 cm.) square

Provenance

Jon Eric Riis, San Francisco, acquired prior to 2012.

Literature

D. Hugus, Chinese Rank Badges: Symbols of Power, Wealth, and Intellect in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2021, p. 75, no. 7.11.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

The orientation of the animal depicted on this rank badge depended on where the wearer would be seated in proximity to the Emperor, as the animal on the badge was not permitted to face away from the Emperor. For example, when the badge would have been worn in court, the official would have sat to the right of the Emperor, and when worn in a social setting, the official would have sat to the left of the Emperor. The present badge, which features a leopard of the third rank facing to the right, would have been worn for social occasions when the official was seated to the left of the emperor.

A very similar leopard badge, but dating slightly earlier in the Kangxi period, is illustrated by B. Jackson and D. Hugus, Ladder to the Clouds: Intrigue and Tradition in Chinese Rank,1999, p. 227, no. 15.008.

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