19th Century Chinese Mandarin Qing Yellow Enamel Bell

 Turquoise Blue Peking Glass Hat Rank Button

3 3/4" Tall  x  2 1/2" Bottom Diameter

Marked: China

Yellow Peking Glass Bead Ringer

Excellent Condition

Works Perfectly

Laws for hat insignia worn by the Manchu in China, date back to 1636. Numbering less than a quarter of a million, the Manchu conquered the Chinese empire, establishing the Qing dynasty by 1644. To assert authority over the Han Chinese population, the Manchu felt very strongly about having an easily visible means of identification – whether it be for the Imperial family or, Chinese nobles and officials. This prompted a dress regulation that codified dress for the Imperial family and Chinese aristocrats. It distinguished the ruling elite and government from the general population. Hats were believed to be more conspicuous than rank badges and for the next century hat laws would amend from emperor to emperor. By 1727, the Yongzheng Emperor introduced “Mandarin buttons” also known as hat spheres. They were to be worn on less formal occasions, and were easier to identify than former hat insignia. The emperor wore a twisted knob of red silk cord while noblemen and officials wore a simpler hat sphere.  There were nine official ranks according to tradition, each distinguished by a different color.

By the turn of the 19^th century, Chinese communities began to incorporate the buttons into miniature bells for export. The button formed the handle above a two-inch tall porcelain-covered metal bell, which used a small glass bead on a chain as a clapper. Today both the buttons and the bells are unique collector's items.

 

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