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See more objects with the tag clouds, identity, government, rank, egret, scholar.

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Object Timeline

-0001

1902

  • We acquired this object.

2013

2014

2025

  • You found it!

Rank Badge (China)

This is a Rank badge. It is dated Ming dynasty, 1368–1644 and we acquired it in 1902. Its medium is silk, metallic yarns and its technique is plain weave with discontinuous wefts (tapestry or k'ossu), open slits. It is a part of the Textiles department.

The Ming dress regulations of 1391 systematically correlated birds and animals to civil and military ranks, to be displayed as badges on robes. Here, a pair of white egrets is set against a background of swirling golden clouds. The egret was the symbol of a 6th-rank civil official.

This object was donated by John Pierpont Morgan. It is credited Gift of John Pierpont Morgan.

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Gloves (Italy)
  • silk, metallic yarns, spangles.
  • Bequest of Richard Cranch Greenleaf in memory of his mother, Adeline Emma....
  • 1962-55-19-a,b
  •
  • Asafo Flag (Ghana)
  • cotton.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. William Goulding and from General....
  • 2009-2-1

Its dimensions are

H x W: 34.3 x 39.4 cm (13 1/2 x 15 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Rank Badge (China); silk, metallic yarns; H x W: 34.3 x 39.4 cm (13 1/2 x 15 1/2 in.); Gift of John Pierpont Morgan; 1902-1-432

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Making Design.

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18130937/ |title=Rank Badge (China) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=8 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>