A RARE IMPERIAL RANK BADGE WITH A FIVE-CLAWED DRAGON China, Qing dynasty, Daoguang period, 19th ct. 33 x 31,5 cm (o.R.) Slit tapestry (kesi) in colored silk and gold threads. The five-clawed frontal dragon is hoovering in the center between clouds and above a rock in waves with treasures. On lateral rocks daffodils, bamboo and lingzhi mushrooms are growing. On the top left a bleached red sun. The frame with lotus tendrils. After the Daoguang period, the rank squares were equipped in the lower part with the diagonal lines of deep water. Since this is not the case here, the badge can be dated quite precisely. A five-clawed dragon as a rank insignia is found only on buzi for highest nobles and members of the imperial family. The presence of the sun is rather unusual, as it is considered a symbol of the emperor, and its presence would be interpreted as the wearer striving for imperial dignity himself. In Jackson/Hugus (p. 296), there is a suggestion that this type of buzi could have been made for individuals who received their noble title by appointment. From a South German private collection, assembled in the 1970s and 80s Colors slightly faded, sewn on cloth, stretched on a frame, restored at the woven border