Pair of Framed Chinese Embroidered Ninth Rank Badges Qing Dynasty

On offer is a matching pair of embroidered silk civil rank badge panels (known in Chinese as Buzi) in black lacquer frames. The panels feature a black background within a scrolling floral border. In the center, it showcases a winged paradise fly catcher, the symbol of the ninth rank civil official in the court of Qing Dynasty. The silver and white bird with long tails of two prominent feathers perches on the li-shui rocks. Surrounded by scrolling clouds scattered with lotus, peony and lucky knots, the bird looks up to a full sun on the upper right corner. As a set, one has a slit in the middle and was originally placed in the front of the robe. The other one was designated to the back. Based on the sun's position, these were worn by the wife of a male official. The work is embroidered with satin and couching stitches with thin and tight bundles of silk threads. The stitched knots on the couching created part of the texturized design themselves in the lower part of the design. Displayed in gilt wood frame.
From an English collection.