Mandarin Duck Civilian Rank Badge

This mandarin duck civilian rank badge was made in China in the 19th century. It is made out of silk and metallic thread.

Rank badges were worn on surcoats to identify an individual’s governmental standing. The badges were made in two halves so they could be placed on either side of a font-opening coat. Wives and children wore the rank badge of their father or husband. Different animals represented different ranks, and the way the animal was position often indicates if the badge was made for a man or woman.

This is a front badge for a civilian official of the seventh rank. The left facing mandarin duck is perched on rocks within a celestial landscape and a sky with cloud bands and a lunar disk. The mandarin duck is typically identified by its neck feathers that are arranged in two tiers and by the blue body plumage. Executed with silk threads in Peking stitch and couched metallic threads.