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Actions Displays	Manchu Tartar Flag Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number17268 TitleManchu Tartar Flag CreatorManchu "Tartar" regiment DescriptionThis is a Manchu Tartar banner belonging to a division of the Chinese Imperial Army. It was taken from the field during one of the battles of the Taku Forts during the Second Opium War in the late 1850s. The Banner system was used by the Manchu of north east China from the early 17th century to organise their military. They went on to conquer and control China, founding the Qing dynasty in 1644. The four original companies were distinguished by banners of different colours—yellow, red, white, and blue. Later, four more banners were added, using the same colours bordered in red (the red banner had a white border). After the Opium Wars, the Banners lost much of their importance but the whole system remained intact until the end of the Qing dynasty in 1912. The banner was donated to the museum by Colonel John Henry Beath, a surgeon with the Third Buffs regiment in the British Army. He was present at the 3rd Battle of the Taku Forts in 1860, at the height of the Second Opium War. The Opium Wars arose from China’s attempts to suppress the opium trade and Britain seeking to extend their trading rights there. They were fought between the forces of Western countries (mainly Britain and France) and of the Qing dynasty. On both occasions, the foreign powers were victorious. As a result, new ports were opened up to the West, it became possible to travel within China and the importation of opium was legalised. Production placeChina Taku Forts Production date 1850 - 1858 Object nameFlag Textiles Dimensions whole Height: 1940 mm whole Width: 1440 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number17268

TitleManchu Tartar Flag

DescriptionThis is a Manchu Tartar banner belonging to a division of the Chinese Imperial Army. It was taken from the field during one of the battles of the Taku Forts during the Second Opium War in the late 1850s. The Banner system was used by the Manchu of north east China from the early 17th century to organise their military. They went on to conquer and control China, founding the Qing dynasty in 1644. The four original companies were distinguished by banners of different colours—yellow, red, white, and blue. Later, four more banners were added, using the same colours bordered in red (the red banner had a white border). After the Opium Wars, the Banners lost much of their importance but the whole system remained intact until the end of the Qing dynasty in 1912. The banner was donated to the museum by Colonel John Henry Beath, a surgeon with the Third Buffs regiment in the British Army. He was present at the 3rd Battle of the Taku Forts in 1860, at the height of the Second Opium War. The Opium Wars arose from China’s attempts to suppress the opium trade and Britain seeking to extend their trading rights there. They were fought between the forces of Western countries (mainly Britain and France) and of the Qing dynasty. On both occasions, the foreign powers were victorious. As a result, new ports were opened up to the West, it became possible to travel within China and the importation of opium was legalised.

Production placeChina Taku Forts

Production date 1850 - 1858

Object nameFlag

Textiles

Dimensions

whole Height: 1940 mm
whole Width: 1440 mm