PAIR OF PECTORALS

Pair of pectorals on which animals were embroidered, corresponding to the different civil and military ranks used in the Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These emblems of rank were sewn to the official clothing on the front, with its corresponding opening, and on the back. In this case, the gold-embroidered lion looking towards a ball, also embroidered in gold and symbol of its male gender, is the animal that corresponds to the second rank of military officials. The lion, which rests on a mountain emerging from the waters, is surrounded by the Eight Buddhist Symbols, all framed by a band in which the bat and the Chinese character corresponding to longevity, a meaning in which the bat also participates, alternate as decorative motifs. I.C.F. / Extracted from: Isabel CERVERA FERNÁNDEZ: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta. Asian Art Collection. Granada, 2002.