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Lot *92
A PAIR OF RANK BADGES (BUZI) WITH CRANE
Estimated Value:
1.500 € - 2.500 €
Schätzpreis:
2.200 €
Description:
China, Qing dynasty, third quarter 19th ct.25,5 x 25 cm
Black-blue silk satin embroidered with gold and copper threads. Lining: gray silk. The crane, symbol of the first civil rank, is shown standing on a rock amidst waves and clouds, facing the sun at the upper left. Here the bird is depicted somewhat squat, which is characteristic of the late Qing period. However, the design of the feathers and all characteristics are typical of a crane. He is surrounded by spherical ruyi-shaped and connected clouds with flying bats. On the side rocks daffodils and lingzhi mushrooms are growing, in the waves floating treasures such as ryui scepters, coral branches and pearls. A meandering band fills the frame.
Buzi of the highest, the first civilian rank, are relatively rare. The embroidery completely in metal threads from various tones primarily in gold and in various thicknesses is highly elegant. The lower section with the diagonal lines of deep water suggests a manufacture after 1850, but here the space around the rank bird is not completely filled as in later buzi.
From an old South German private collection, assembled between 1970 and 2002
Cf.: Jackson/Hugus: Ladder to the Clouds, 1999: Similar designed rank badge with mandarin duck, p. 165; rank badge with crane, p. 144.
Very good condition, only a few loose embroidery threads in the frame
