Mandarin Square

52-23-80

From: China

Curatorial Section: Asian

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Native Name Buzi (補子)
Object Number 52-23-80
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Chinese
Provenience China
Period Qing Dynasty
Date Made 19th Century
Section Asian
Materials Silk
Technique Embroidered
Iconography Tiger | Five Bats | Peonies | Fungus | Bamboo | Peaches | Narcissus | Eight Buddhist Symbols | Pearls
Description

Fourth rank military officer's tiger square. Mostly in Peking knot, with outlines couched in twisted white, blue and silver cord, on blue-black satin. The tiger has obviously been added later in satin stitch to replace an earlier animal (Bear?), which was probably rendered in Peking knot like the rest - doubtless because of a sudden promotion for the owner. Border of alternating red bats and oblong shou characters. Compare identical patterns on 52-23-20, -45 and -91. Based on the appearance of the background elements this appears to be from the Daoguang Period (1821-50 CE).

Height 31 cm
Width 32.2 cm
Credit Line Purchased from J. S. Letcher, 1952

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