Suzhou Embroidery. Gu Wen-Xia Embroidery Studio
Each 43 × 43 cm
The Qing dynasty maintained a highly regulated system of official dress, with garments categorized according to rank and occasion—ranging from court robes and ceremonial attire to regular, travel, and rain garments. A common element of government officials was a set of long and short robes. These robes often featured rank badges, square or round embroidered panels sewn onto the chest and back, visually indicating the wearer’s official rank and status. The system of rank badges was inherited from the Ming Dynasty: circles were for royals and noblewomen, squares for civil and military officials. Civil officials were identified by bird motifs, ranging from the crane (first rank) to the flycatcher (ninth rank). Military officials were represented by powerful beasts—such as qilin, lions, tigers, and leopards—each corresponding to a specific grade. Altogether, the system reflects the Qing dynasty’s deeply stratified bureaucracy and rigidly enforced hierarchy. This set of 18 embroidered replicas, meticulously recreated by Suzhou Embroidery master Gu Wen-Xia, not only preserves an important aspect of Qing textile heritage but also illustrates the close connection between embroidery craftsmanship and the visual culture of imperial governance.