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Mandarin Square

Native NameBuzi (補子)
Object Number:52-23-59
Current Location: Collections Storage
Culture:Chinese
Provenience: China
Period: Qing Dynasty
Date Made: Late 19th Century
Early Date: 1875
Late Date: 1900
Section:Asian
Materials:Silk
Gold Thread
Technique:Embroidered
Peking Knot
Satin Stitch
Couched
Iconography:Quail
Sun
Li Shui
Narcissus
Bamboo
Fungus
Pearls
Eight Buddhist Symbols
Fish
Conch
Vase
Wheel Of The Law
Lotus
Canopy
Mystic Knot
Umbrella
Bats
Eight Daoist Immortal Symbols
Inscription Language:Chinese Language
Height: 29.8 cm
Width: 30 cm
Credit Line:Purchased from J. S. Letcher, 1952

Description

Square eighth rank civil official's badge for front of robe. At center a quail faces the sun as it stands on a rock amidst waves. The bottom edge has the 立水 li shui ('standing water') design denoting deep water. Pearls and four of the eight Buddhist symbols float in the waves: fish; conch; vase; wheel of the law. On the rocky banks fungus, bamboo, narcissus grow. The sky is filled with clouds, five bats, four of the eight Buddhist symbols; lotus; canopy; mystic knot; and umbrella. Greek fret border in couched gold. Background in poor condition. Probably originally laid with gold thread which was removed for re-use. Primarily Peking knot with couched twisted cord and satin stitch. Backing of green patterned silk with symbols of eight Daoist immortals in pattern. Also on backing: "Made in China" stamp; and white paper sticker with two Chinese characters and the number "327".

Bibliography:

[Article] Cammann, Schuyler V. 1953. "Chinese Mandarin Squares: Brief Catalogue of the Lechter Collection". The University Museum Bulletin. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Vol. 17. no. 3. pg. 2-73 Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: No. 59, pg. 67View Objects related to this Actual Citation

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