Valance Item Number: Edz1291 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Plain cloth embroidered with black circular motifs of various pheasant, lotus, prunus, cherry and other flowers, and leaves. Butterflies along top and bottom between motifs. Pheasant, butterfly and flora at each bottom corner. Two bands, one of brown ribbon on the inside and an outer blue band form a three sided border.

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.

Iconographic Meaning

Pheasant; beauty, good fortune, high rank emblem of civil officials. Butterfly; joy, conjugal felicity. Lotus; purity, feminine genius. Prunus; winter flower. Cherry; feminine beauty. Fungus; immortality, longevity. Bat; longevity, prosperity, happiness.

Cultural Context

utilitarian;household

Item History

What

Name
Valance
Identification Number
Edz1291
Type of Item
valance
Material
cotton fibre and indigo dye
Manufacturing Technique
woven, dyed, stitched and embroidered
Overall
height 37.0 cm, width 185.5 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
fair
Accession Number
0567/0066