Chinese Insignia and Accessories 18th and 19th century

Insignia or badges of rank were one way of identifying a mandarin or his wife. There were eight military and civil ranks in the Chinese court and these insignia are highly sought after by collectors. Chinese woman's collars, hats and shoes both for the Han who bound their feet and the Manchu who wore stilted shoes. Pouches for men and women and nail protectors for women.