Lot 44
![[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] A CHINESE KESI CENSOR'S RANK BADGE AND A SILK EMBROIDERED PANEL](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/6e6538d4-5ae0-468b-8d67-e1fc0e80c787/039a9143-c7bf-4275-bb32-4edbe280372e/0001_kObhNG_original.jpeg)
[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] A CHINESE KESI CENSOR'S RANK BADGE AND A SILK EMBROIDERED PANEL
QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
Auction: 07 November 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
清 緙絲獬豸紋補子（鏡框） 及 刺繡清供紋掛幅 (共兩件)
the rank badge decorated with a mythical beast, xiezhi, on a hill to the centre above lishui border, enclosed by embroidered floral borders, framed; and an ivory ground panel decorated with wrapped qin, weiqi, censer, book and scroll (2)
Dimensions
silk panel: 37cm x 37cm; panel: 60cm x 24.7cm
Provenance
Collection of Prof. J. Gilbert & Cora McAllister, thence by descent based in England.
Dr. J. Gilbert McAllister (1904–1993) was Emeritus Professor in Anthropology at the University of Texas. Primarily a cultural anthropologist, he also carried out significant archaeological research. Cora McAllister (1904-1995) graduated from the University of Texas in 1924 as a Member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1933–1934, she and Gilbert lived amongst Kiowa-Apache Indians in Oklahoma, where Gilbert conducted field research. In 1935, Gilbert was lured back to the University of Texas, where, by 1935, he became Chairman of the department and head of a large archaeological program. There, Gilbert (or Dr. Mac as he was affectionately known by his students) made his name as an archaeological administrator and especially as a remarkable teacher for over 33 years until his retirement in 1968. In a Memorial Resolution Committee Memorandum, it is noted that he had a “massive integrity about him” and “we talk about role models these days. He was one of the good ones.”
Cora and Gilbert’s large and eclectic collection was informed by a deep love for Asian cultures and antiquities, coupled with a scholarly approach. Their collection spanned vast time periods, materials, and included cultures of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and more. The collection was mostly acquired in the 1960s and 1970s, variously from Cora and Gilbert’s friends and fellow academics who made trips to Asia (some of whom were commissioned specifically by Gilbert), their usual dealers and contacts, as well as from fellow collectors.
For more information about Dr and Ms McAllister, please visit: https://shaybo-therisingtide.blogspot.com/2014/08/j-gilbert-mcallister-memorial.html?m=1
Footnote
Although the rank of most civil officials was identified with birds, those tasked with rooting out corruption wore badges decorated with the mythical xiezhi, a one-horned, lie-detecting beast. Squares like this one were donned by censors, judges, magistrates, and, eventually, anyone remotely related to the legal system.