Quilted Blanket Item Number: Edz1204 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Double bed quilt of unstructured cotton fibres covered with a loosely woven netting of white, red, and green cotton threads. Label reads "DOUBLE HAPPINESS BRAND/MADE IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA".
History Of Use
Cotton padding is used in China for warm clothing and bedding. Garments and quilts are enclosed in cloth covers which may be removed for washing.
Cultural Context
household
Iconographic Meaning
The characters double happiness, written in red, symbolize happiness in marriage
Specific Techniques
After the cotton has been ginned, two men prepare the cotton fibre, which is initially wadded and compact. They stand on opposite sides of a table the size and configuration of the finished quilt. Each has a belt from which projects upwards a bamboo pole. Suspended from this is a tool shaped like a bow. Each man has a wooden bell-shaped tool in one hand that he uses to strum the string of the bow, making a characteristic rhythmic sound. He holds the string above the cotton fibres and as it vibrates it separates and fluffs the cotton. When it has reached the desired size and shape, the men then cast cotton threads back and forth across the quilt, creating a mesh that encloses the cotton.
Item History
- Made in China before 1979
- Collected by Elizabeth L. Johnson during 1980
- Owned by Elizabeth L. Johnson before March 17, 1980
- Received from Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on March 17, 1980
What
- Name
- Quilted Blanket
- Identification Number
- Edz1204
- Type of Item
- blanket
- Material
- cotton fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- ginned, machine spun, woven and bowed
- Overall
- height 4.7 cm, width 204.0 cm, depth 134.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Field Collector
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Previous Owner
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Received from
- Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1979
- Collection Date
- during 1980
- Ownership Date
- before March 17, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on March 17, 1980
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0610/0174