The bear represents the fifth military rank. While the birds used in Chinese rank badges correspond to actual species, the animals usually do not. Instead, many are fantastic animals, and all were chosen for their supernatural power. Bears on rank badges do not resemble bears in nature. Instead, they often feature an upswept mane, an emphasis on the paws (very long in this example), and an extended tail.
Credit: Anonymous Gift, 1943
Late 17th-early 18th century
Silk, metallic thread, and feather-thread supplementary weft-patterned silk satin
33.0 x 29.2cm
43.115.1
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection