QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Although the rank of most civil officials was identified with birds, those tasked with rooting out corruption wore badges decorated with the mythical xiezhi, a one-horned, lie-detecting beast. Squares like this one were donned by censors, judges, magistrates, and, eventually, anyone remotely related to the legal system. A similar badge embroidered with a xiezhi is illustrated in D. Hugus, Chinese Rank Badges: Symbols of Power, Wealth, and Intellect in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Chicago, 2021, p. 27, fig. 2.37.