Valance Item Number: Edz1285 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular, brocade valance of cream fabric with black design; lower edge has tassels. The design consists of three stylized lions separated by stylized flowers and leaf sprays. Central lion has floral design on body, feathery head and tail. Lion on left, lacks one foreleg and has spider on its body. Lion on right, lacks outline at rear and appears to merge into a leaf design with large insect. Large leaf at left has a butterfly on it. Floral motifs separating lions are circular with scalloped edges, pointed leaves radiating, trailing thorny branches. Upper edge is unfinished, both sides narrowly hemmed.
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
Lion, defender of law, protector of sacred buildings, sometimes called the "dog of fo" due to its being found at the threshold of Buddhist temples; lion is also an emblem of valour, energy.
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
- Edz1285
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, embroidered, dyed and stitched
- Overall
- height 40.3 cm, width 201.6 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
- 0567/0060