Rare Chinese rank badge, censor, one of a matching pair, Qing dynasty. Silk, gold thread, kesi technique, mid 19th century
Rare Chinese rank badge, censor, one of a matching pair, Qing dynasty. Silk, gold thread, kesi technique, mid 19th century
$1.00
YOU'D BETTER BEHAVE. One of a matching pair, this Chinese rank badge features a mythical creature called Xie Zhai or censor. A censor's role is to report on the honesty and integrity of the other mandarins. The animal symbolised justice and had a horn to gore wrongdoers, and roared when it encountered unlawful behaviour. (Valery Garrett).