A High Ranking Low Rank Badge

Rather fallen in love with the exquisite embroidery on this Qing Dynasty rank badge. Traditionally sewn onto the wearer’s garments to demonstrate civil, military or imperial rank, the bird denotes the official's rank. Here the egret represents rank 6 (of a possible 9). Interestingly, the lower rank badges are more collectable on account of being more scarce: officials of lower rank could not afford as many badges and were often buried in their garments. Also, the placement of the sun, left or right of the bird, indicates the wearer's gender: for social events, women could wear a complementary badge signifying their husband’s rank or, if not yet married, their father’s.