A Pair of 19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period Qilin Embroidered Silk Rank Badges
十九世纪中国清乾隆年间麒麟一品武官補子一对
This pair of brocades from the Qianlong period depict the qilin in a proud prancing stance. Qilin generally have Chinese dragon-like features. Most notably their heads, eyes with thick eyelashes, manes that always flow upward and beards. The body is fully or partially scaled and often shaped like an ox, deer, or horse. In modern times, the depictions of qilin have often fused with the Western concept of unicorns.
武官的補子用彰显威仪的猛兽做图案,一品武官的身份象征是麒麟。古代传说中的神兽分别是龙、凤、麟、龟,麒麟是其中之一。《说文》中有道:“麒麟设武备而不为害。” “有足者宜踢,有额者宜顶,有角者宜触,为麟不然,是仁也。” 所以,以麒麟为一品武官的補子,既象征皇帝的仁厚祥瑞,又表现了皇帝“武备而不为害”的王道人君形象。建威将军、领侍卫内大臣、銮仪卫掌卫事大臣、八旗都统、各省驻防将军、提督等为一品武官。此一对麒麟補子约为清乾隆年间一品武官之物,補面镶有珠饰,背景丰富、绣工精细,而且至今保存完好,实数难能可贵。
L280 D230mm