A Chinese rank badge
Xianfeng Period (1851-1861)
A panel for an official censor with a central "Xiezhi" figure, "a mythical beast that could tell truth from falsehood," surrounded by deep water, waves, clouds, five bats and other auspicious symbols, all worked in blue and red silk counted stitch on gauze
12.25" H x 13.25" W
Literature: This piece illustrated: David Hugus, PhD, "Chinese Rank Badges: Symbols of Power, Wealth, and Intellect in the Ming and Qing Dynasties" (Hong Kong: OM Publishing, 2021), 27, fig. 2.40 and 105, fig. 12.2.

Overall good condition with light dust accumulation commensurate with age and use. Fading to side A. Wear to edges and corners, with some splits and losses, and with paper remnants verso. Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.