Rank Badge

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The bird shown on this badge is a crane, corresponding to the highest rank of civil official. The badge is woven in a fine silk tapestry weave (kesi) with some details, especially outlines, in metallic thread. The sun, at the upper right, was a Qing-dynasty innovation not found on Ming badges.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art