Bed Valance Item Number: Edz1249 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Plain white valance with blue embroidery, and hemmed on sides with selvedges top and bottom. Three rectangular panels separated by 2 designs; one of bridge, deer, tree and butterflies; the other has a pagoda, tree and bird. The centre panel is divided horizontally by a fence with a lion on either side. Panel on left shows urn with pomegranates, flanked by a dragon, deer and floral and fruit design with birds and butterflies. Panel on right depicts waves with fish, sea dragon, tortoise with birds, butterflies and houses overhead. Border on bottom edge is scalloped design with marine and floral motifs.
History Of Use
Blue and white embroideries are part of a long domestic tradition. Designs vary geographically but are constant within generations of families except for minor individual variations. Often used to decorate the bed which traditionally played a focal part in household ritual particularly at the new year when all household spirits were honored. They are family made, by women, and family owned. These embroideries were of no local commercial value.
Cultural Context
utilitarian;household
Iconographic Meaning
Phoenix is the symbol of the empress, females, beauty, goodness, prosperity. Dragon is the symbol of the emperor, males, and eternity. Butterfly stands for joy and happiness. The pomegranate symbolizes fertility and properity. The lion symbolizes power and energy. The tortoise stands for longevity, strength, and endurance.
Item History
- Made in Chengdu, Sichuan, China before 1945
- Collected between 1932 and 1945
- Owned by Kathleen F. Spooner before April 25, 1979
- Received from Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) on April 25, 1979
What
- Name
- Bed Valance
- Identification Number
- Edz1249
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre, indigo dye and flax fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, embroidered, stitched and dyed
- Overall
- height 50.0 cm, width 212.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Kathleen F. Spooner
- Received from
- Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Chengdu, Sichuan, China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1945
- Collection Date
- between 1932 and 1945
- Ownership Date
- before April 25, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on April 25, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0567/0024