Textile Art Department Rank Badge with Leopard China, Qing dynasty, about 1850 silk embroidery on silk, 11 5/8 x 12 inches (29.7 x 30.5 cm) Gift of James P. Grant and Betty Grant Austin 1977.230

Over their court robes, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) officials wore outer coats decorated with an embroidered silk badge that indicated their rank. Leopard badges were for military officials of the third rank. This example is embroidered in colorful Peking knot stitching on dark blue silk. The leopard stands on a rock with stylized waves below and clouds and sun above, and is surrounded by auspicious symbols—the bats indicating good fortune, the eight Buddhist emblems, and, in the border of the badge, more bats, dragons, and the character shou meaning long life.


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