Child's vest made from a pair of badges of the second military rank

清緞地港涀繡二品武官獅子眤子男童缴心

A pair of late-nineteenth-century military badges was cleverly recycled into this luxurious vest for a young boy. The badges, one whole and one resewn from halves intended for the split front of a court surcoat, were originally assembled for a member of the Qing military hierarchy's second rank. This rank is identifiable by the images of lions. The images were appliquéd onto a blank badge, which was also embroidered with representations of the sun, wish-granting clouds and waves, and the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism (wheel, conch, parasol, canopy, lotus, vase, fish, and endless knot). Officials could be promoted or demoted, and switching the animal images on a rank badge was more expedient and economical than buying a new one.