Valance Item Number: Edz1229 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large white cover with embroidered roundels. The cover is made from three narrow pieces sewn together. The horizontal edges are hemmed with zigzag stitch, vertical edges are selvedge. Along one selvedge edge are four large roundels. The first has fish, lotus and butterfly motifs. The second has three figures, cloud and lotus motifs. The third has 2 figures, lotus and floral motifs. The last has a phoenix motif.
History Of Use
Valance with sampler motifs. Possibly made by a younger person, as the colour additions are more daring than the traditional style of the time. Blue on white embroidered textiles were traditionally made until the end of the 19th century by rural and village women of the western provinces, especially in rich agricultural communities of Szechwan, Shensi, and Yunnan. Patterns consisted of varied arrangements of classical and folkloric symbols. Square linen or cotton pieces were woven on wooden looms 30.5 to 63.5 cm wide. Finished articles were often given to, or made by a bride; sometimes used as samplers, or as household linen. Designs vary geographically but are constant within generations of families, except for minor individual variations. Often used to decorate the bed, particularly at the new year when household spirits are honoured.
Narrative
Collected at a time when the owners preferred machine manufactured goods.
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
- Edz1229
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, stitched, embroidered and dyed
- Overall
- height 204.0 cm, width 105.0 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
- 0567/0004