A Pair of 18th to 19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Jiaqing Period Red Head Crane Embroidered Silk Rank Badges
十八至十九世纪中国清嘉庆年间红顶仙鹤文官補子一对
In tradition Yuanlingshan, there are two mandarin squares worn, at the front the square is split at the chest to allow the robe to open and the square on the back is complete, as seen here.
In tradition Chinese mythology the red-crowned crane is often featured in legends. In Taoism, the red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity and immortality. In art and literature, immortals are often depicted riding on cranes. A mortal who attains immortality is similarly carried off by a crane. Reflecting this association, red-crowned cranes are called xian-he, 'fairy-crane' or 'crane of the immortals'). The red-crowned crane is also a symbol of nobility. Depictions of the crane have been found in Shang Dynasty tombs and Zhou Dynasty ceremonial bronzeware. A common theme in later Chinese art is the reclusive scholar who cultivates bamboo and keeps cranes. Some literati even reared cranes and trained them to dance to guqin music.
清代《钦定大清会典图》卷六十四-卷六十六： “文一品官補服绣鹤，文二品官補服绣锦鸡，文三品官補服绣孔雀，文四品官補服绣雁，文五品官補服绣白鹇，文六品官補服绣鹭鸶，文七品官補服绣鸂鶒纹，文八品官補服绣鹌鹑，文九品官補服绣练雀，未入流官補服制同；都御史補服绣獬豸、副都御史、给事中、按察使各道補服制同。”此对仙鹤補子属清嘉庆年间一品文官之物，方寸之间，尽显其工艺的精湛及历史的价值之高。因補子是官员日用之物，又为丝绸所制，故传世且品相较好的甚为稀少，具有较高的收藏价值。
L300 D280mm
