Birds & Beasts: Wearing Honour & Order in the Qing Dynasty

Birds & Beasts: Wearing Honour & Order in the Qing Dynasty - A new exhibition presented by University of Alberta Museums with objects from the Mactaggart Art Collection.

Rank badges are a pair of insignia badges that were attached to the front and back of surcoats worn by officials in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). These badges indicated the rank of the wearer in both the civil administration and the military. Civil officials were distinguished by birds while military officials were identified by beasts. Birds & Beasts: Wearing Honour & Order in the Qing Dynasty will explore social rank through dress and art with objects from the Mactaggart Art Collection, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the University of Alberta’s Bruce Peel Special Collection.