A group of six embroidered silk mandarin insignias, Qingdynasty, 18/19th Century.
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Embroidered with birds. Dimensions approx. 28x29 cm, one slightly smaller.
Wear, damages.
Provenance
From the Collection of Elsa (1910-2003) and Cyril Holm (1894 – 1960), Stockholm. The couple shared a passion for art, Chinese antiques and philosophy, they were active in creating their collection and decorating their villa in Danderyd up until 1960. Thence by descent.
More information
Mandarin squares were first authorized for the wear of officials in the sumptuary laws of 1391 of the Ming dynasty. The use of squares depicting birds for civil officials and animals for military officials was an outgrowth of the use of similar squares, apparently for decorative use, in the Yuan dynasty. The original court dress regulations of the Ming dynasty were published in 1368, but did not refer to badges as rank insignia. These badges continued to be used through the remainder of the Ming and the subsequent Qing dynasty until the imperial system fell in 1912.