Valance Item Number: Edz1274 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Blue embroidered blue valance. Three vases on stands, each holds different flowering branch. Have central animal design, borders at shoulders and base. Central vase holds two branches of blossom, sprig, leaves. Vase on left has cicada design. Holds two branches of blossom, leaves, buds. Vase on right has central butterfly design and holds two branches of blossom, buds, leaves, bird between. Four alternating designs from left: bird on simple stem plant; larger bird on mulberry bush; fish, water plants, waves; two small birds on mulberry bush. Solid blue order on all three sides, inner blue border of tape. Top selvedge.
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
Vase, maintenance of peace. Clouds, fertility of land. Cicada, immortality, resurrection, happiness, eternal youth. Butterfly; joy, marital felicity. Fish; wealth, abundance. Mulberry; comforts of home and industry.
Cultural Context
utilitarian;household
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
- Valance
- Identification Number
- Edz1274
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- indigo dye and cotton fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, embroidered, stitched and dyed
- Overall
- height 36.0 cm, width 181.5 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
- 0567/0049