Chinese Dragon Mandarin Square Rank Badge Cushion

We've digitally enhanced a museum photograph of a rank badge or mandarin square from China's Qing Dynasty (1641-1911). This rank badge depicting a dragon with deer hooves consisted of embroidered metallic thread on silk. Dragon rank badges were worn by the emperor and his family members. The Chinese dragon was considered a benevolent being bringing rain and representing strength, goodness and blessings. This badge was made sometime in the 18th-19th century. Mandarin squares or rank badges were large embroidered insignia, usually squares, that were embroidered on the surcoats of imperial officials in China, Korea and Vietnam. The sewing consisted of colourful animals and birds, some mythical. The various ranks of the officials were signified by the type of animal or bird worn. Military officials had animals for insignia while civil officials had birds. The rank badges of the emperor and imperial family was some form of a dragon. Rank badges appear to have been first authorised in the late 14th century in the Ming Dynasty of China.