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Military - Panther
c 1900

The couching of the panther is finely worked and the rest of the badge a little less so, as is quite usual, the animal being the most important. At court functions mandarins with military rank were placed on the right of the Emperor so that the animal was looking at the Emperor. In Linda Wrigglesworth book she says that during the 19th century most military badges depict the animal facing right, wheras ours faces left. Military ranks in the Chinese court were not as prestigious as Civil ranks. To pass exams into the military ranks, physical prowess was required rather than rote learning of the Classics, required for civil ranks. The military ranking student was expected to write short essays on classic texts of the art of war. Archery and swordsmanship skills tested. On passing the exam the first two ranks would have gained a position in the provinces, but with the third rank came a prestigious appointment in Beijing.

Cataloguing

insignia buzi for a 6th ranking official, the animal worked almost completely in gold wrapped silk couching, his ears and nose in red silk, applieque onto a ground worked with embroidered cloud bands, Buddhist symbols, all above a lishui wave border worked in gold and silver couching, the dragon border similarly worked, 11 x 10 in.

Condition

Good condition.