Chinese flag, 1863.
Associated with Maj Gen Charles Gordon.
Associated with the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864).
Chinese flag, size 9 ft 2 in x 9 ft 4 in; fine patterned silk flag bearing on one side 2, 5 tailed dragons symbols around a painted Chinese character. The dragons are painted in blue and red and are surrounded by painted floral symbols.
The character is read “ch’en”, meaning ‘battle’ and the banner is assumed to be a battle flag.
It is not of a type regulated by Imperial edict.
This flag was carried by Gen Gordon’s “Ever victorious Army” in the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion in 1863 and was brought back by him.