Rank Badge (buzi), 1850-99. China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Silk and metal thread; slit tapestry weave (kesi); overall: 29.5 x 31.3 cm (11 5/8 x 12 5/16 in.). Rank badges (also called rank insignia or Mandarin squares) were used in China during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties to demonstrate the wearers rank. In 1391 new clothing regulations directed court officials to wear decorative squares indicating their rank—birds for civil officials and animals for military officials. During the Qing dynasty rank badge design was regulated, and certain creatures were associated with specific ranks. Qing badges depict a representation of the universe with a landscape and a central creature, surrounded by clouds and facing the sun. The sun represented the emperor and this composition showed the officials loyalty to him. An officials wife wore rank badges that mirrored her husbands. Most of the examples in CMAs collection depict creatures facing a sun on the left. Attached