Cover Item Number: Edz1232 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

White cover with dark blue embroidery. Three narrow pieces are stitched together to create the large rectangular panel. The panel has eight rows of staggered circles with different motifs embroidered in dark blue on white ground. The motifs include flowers, animals, insects, fish and landscapes. There is a border on one long side, wrapping around the corners. The border motifs alternate between floral and landscape squares. The panel has one selvage and three hemmed edges. The back is unlined.

History Of Use

Blue and white embroideries are part of an ancient 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

Item History

What

Name
Cover
Identification Number
Edz1232
Type of Item
cover
Material
cotton fibre and indigo dye
Manufacturing Technique
woven, embroidered, dyed and stitched
Overall
height 220.0 cm, width 125.0 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
0567/0007