A RARE MING EMBROIDERED FESTIVAL BADGE

WANLI

Details

A RARE MING EMBROIDERED FESTIVAL BADGE
Wanli
The ochre yellow ground with an allover diaper pattern, finely worked in satin stitch and couched gold threads with a large, plump rabbit supporting a lingzhi fungus on its back from which issues a tall shou character flanked by two small wan emblems at the top, all surrounded by various flowers in gold threads and brightly colored clouds and above a narrow border of waves and rocks at the lower edge
13in. (34.9cm.) long, 13in. (33cm.) at widest point

Lot Essay

Compare a very similar badge included in the exhibition, Chinese Textiles, Spink & Son Ltd., London, 5 - 23 December 1994, Catalogue no. 39. The wan emblem, the shou character and the lingzhi fungus are motifs which form the rebus 'may you live for 10,000 years'. Festival badges of this type which celebrate longevity may have been worn for the Emperor's birthday or for the New Year celebrations.