Title
Insignia badge for the wife of a 6th rank civil official with egret
1736-1795
Artists
Unknown Artist
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Details
- Place where the work was made
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China
- Period
- Qianlong 1736 - 1795 → Qing dynasty 1644 - 1911 → China
- Date
- 1736-1795
- Media category
- Textile
- Materials used
- embroidery on silk satin
- Dimensions
- 23.6 x 23.6 cm
- Signature & date
Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Judith Rutherford 2001
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 28.2001
- Copyright
- Share
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About
The insignia depicted is an egret, and the badge would have been for the wife of a 6th rank official. Rank badges of this period were often referred to as "pictures in silk" and this is a good example. The egret is standing on the rock gazing at the sun. The clouds massing around the sun, shown in five auspicious colours, are typical of this period. The rocky forms on which the bird is standing represent the earth. A waterfall is cascading down the rocks on the left hand side of the badge. A pine tree - symbol of longevity - is shown sprouting from the rock. The only other symbol shown is a bat - the symbol for good fortune.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 17 April 2001
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Places
Where the work was made
China
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Exhibition history
Shown in 2 exhibitions
Celestial silks: Chinese religious & court textiles, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 31 Jul 2004–24 Oct 2004
Correspondence, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 10 Sep 2022–2024
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Bibliography
Referenced in 4 publications
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David Hugus, Ladder to the clouds, intrigue and tradition in Chinese rank, 'Evolution of Ch'ing Dynasty squares', pg. 215-290, Berkeley, 1999, 240 (colour illus.), 241. plate no. 15.022
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Ann Macarthur, Inspirations - Art ideas for primary and middle years, Carlton South, 2004, cover (colour illus.), 9 (colour illus.). card 9
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Tuyet Nguyet & Stephen Markbreiter, Arts of Asia, 'Collectors world: Helen Perrell and the Chinese badge', pg. 128-135, Hong Kong, Jul 1991-Aug 1991, 132 (colour illus.). Illustrated on the upper left corner of page 132.
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Judith Rutherford and Jackie Menzies (Editors), Celestial silks: Chinese religious & court textiles, Sydney, 2004, 87, 89 (colour illus.). cat.no. 57
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Provenance
Helen Perrell, circa 1972, Hong Kong, offered for sale by Hong Kong auction house. Purchased by Judtih Rutherford.
Judith Rutherford, 1972-2001, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia, donated to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, April 2001.