Antique Cloudband White Crane And Bat Design Chinese Rank Badge 46113
This exquisite antique Chinese rank badge depicts a stately silver pheasant perched on a rock surrounded by auspicious symbols and scrolling ruyi-shaped clouds.
Beautiful and Rare Antique Chinese Rank Badge, Country Of Origin: China, Circa Date: Late 19th century – Regarded as status symbols, civil rank badges were a form of public prestige awarded to accomplished scholars. This exquisite civil fifth-rank badge depicts a graceful silver pheasant, which is a symbol of beauty and good fortune. The silver pheasant with its five plumy tail feathers is perched on a decorative sea rock. Auspicious symbols rendered in a chic combination of indigo blue and creamy white encircle the beautifully detailed bird. An elegant array of ornate lotus blossoms, bian fu bats and spiraling ruyi-shaped clouds surround the important imperial sun. Ruyi-shaped motifs also decorate the surface of the sea separating the decorative background from the tonal deep water lishui stripes. Fretwork borders depicting pinyin wan motifs create a fitting enclosure that complements the lavish style of this antique Chinese rank badge.