A pair of military official's qilin rank badges, Qing Dynasty, 18th century. Photo Sotheby's

embroidered in satin stitch and couched with gold-wrapped threads and peacock feathers, the qilin emblem of the first rank portrayed standing on a rock surrounded by waves and clouds, with the sun in the sky, one badge divided down the middle (2). Height 11 3/4 in., 29.8 cm; Width 12 in., 30.5 cm. Estimation 6,000 — 8,000 USD

A Kangxi period silver pheasant rank badge worked in a similar way is illustrated in Beverley Jackson and David Hugus, Ladder to the Clouds, Berkeley, 1999, p. 229 and sold at Christie's New York, 19th March 2008, lot 28, another was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2012, lot 4031.

Sotheby's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART. 18 MARS 2014 - 19 MARS 2014. NEW YORK - www.sothebys.com