Hanging Item Number: Ef394 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Square-based pentagon; white front; natural printed lining; machine bound with red bias tape; white bias loop at each corner; embroidered before figures are filled with fishbone stitch; male at top centre with orange body, red face and multi-coloured cap and clothing; elephant-headed male, lower centre has an orange body and multi-coloured cap; two red cows are at lower corners; two blue elephants are above; one blue and one green peacock are at each top corner. Multi-coloured, six-petalled flowers form a border; multi-coloured, small symbols, furnishings, and a long-tailed animal are scattered between figures; loop at top right is broken; lining has a small hole in centre.
History Of Use
Wall hanging worshipped by bride and groom.
Cultural Context
Wedding; Hinduism.
Iconographic Meaning
Gods, animals, symbols, and flowers represent virtue, beauty, and good fortune. Krishna with his sacred flute is associated with kindness and goodness. Ganesh, the elephant-headed, four-armed god, overcomes obstacles and bears good luck. Surya, the sun god, represents life and fertility; cows symbolize abundance. Elephants represent power and authority; peacocks symbolize beauty and immortality; a rat is the vahana of Ganesh and the swastika is his sign; shape corresponds to longitudinal section of gabled shrine.
Item History
- Made in Gujarat, India before January 30, 1985
- Owned by Milton Israel before January 30, 1985
- Received from Milton Israel (Donor) and Beverly Israel (Donor) on January 30, 1985
What
- Name
- Hanging
- Identification Number
- Ef394
- Type of Item
- hanging
- Material
- cotton fibre and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, embroidered and sewn
- Overall
- height 59.7 cm, width 60.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Indian: Northern Indian and Indian: Central Indian
- Previous Owner
- Milton Israel
- Received from
- Milton Israel (Donor) and Beverly Israel (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Gujarat, India
When
- Creation Date
- before January 30, 1985
- Ownership Date
- before January 30, 1985
- Acquisition Date
- on January 30, 1985
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1029/0002