Qing dynasty (1644-1912), each square badge with metallic gold ground decorated in kesi stitch with a red head crane to the center standing on a craggy blue rock over blue swirling waves with Buddhist treasure motifs, Chinese ruyi head clouds surround the pheasant and an iron red sun is featured in the upper left corner, border with gold thread floriate decoration.

8 1/2 x 9 in.

From the Collection of the late Dr. Schuyler Van Rensselaer Cammann (1912-1991), Esteemed Professor Emeritus in the Department of Oriental Studies, University of Pennsylvania

First rank civil official was the highest rank and the crane symbolized longevity and wisdom.

Schuyler Van Rensselaer Cammann was an American scholar renowned for his contributions to the field of art and archaeology of Asia, particularly Southeast Asian and Chinese art. He began his distinguished career at Yale University, where upon graduation he spent two years living in Changsha teaching English and European History. He traveled extensively at this time and developed a great interest and appreciation for Tibetan art. He returned to America to attend graduate school at Harvard, but before proceeding to his PhD, World War II broke out and Dr. Cammann returned to China to serve as a US naval officer. After the war, he completed his doctorate at John Hopkins and then went on to teach for many years at the University of Pennsylvania. He continued to conduct fieldwork expeditions to Asia. Over the length of his career, he received many notable awards and recognition for his scholarly contributions to the field of Asian art and archeology.


Very good estate condition; one badge has been sewn together where it was previously cut down the center for placement on a court robe; very light wear to lower right corner of one and lower left corner of other; brown silk base has wear and loss to edges.