Rank badge of silk embroidered with silk threads, China, mid 19th century Square rank badge of gray silk embroidered with coloured silk threads and seed pearls in long and short, split and stem stitches with knots and couched work. The design features a crane, the symbol of the First Rank, standing on a stylised rock in the midst of waves, gazing at the sun disc. On the left are peonies and sacred fungus, on the right a branch of a peach tree. Above are clouds and bats. Lucky jewels appear amidst the waves. The square is bordered with red silk and has a wide border of black silk, brocaded with formal flowers on a gold ground, which is bound at the edge with black silk. The panel is lined with gold-coloured silk.