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Mandarin Square
Mandarin Square
Mandarin Square

Mandarin Square

Place of ManufactureAsia
MediumMaterial: cloth; gold, silver & coloured silk thread
DimensionsOverall (sight measurement framed;): 26.2 x 28.2 cm
ClassificationsDECORATIVE ART
Credit LineGift of Miss M.V. Excell
Object number1976.036.001
DescriptionThis embroidered panel is probably the pictorial insignia of the 5th rank in the official hierarchy adopted by the Manchus in 1652. It shows the silver pheasant standing on an earth mountain arising from a sea of waves. It spreads its wings & looks at the silver roundel at upper right, probably the sun. The sky is represented by embroidered blue old money design. The pheasant is surrounded by the 8 Treasures in Buddhist symbolism: mystic knot, conch shell, jar, wheel of the law, umbrella, lotus, fish & canopy.
Status
Not on view