Birds & Beasts: Wearing Honour and Order in the Qing Dynasty
University of Alberta Museums Gallery A - TELUS Centre 111 Street and 87 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R1
“Birds & Beasts: Wearing Honour & Order in the Qing Dynasty,” 2025
Presented by University of Alberta Museums with objects from the Mactaggart Art Collection (courtesy of University of Alberta Museums)
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.
For more information on events and programs throughout the course of this exhibition please visit our website.