Valance Item Number: Edz1268 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Black embroidery on white cotton. Five rectangular designs. First, from viewer's left: vase with flowers flanked by bird, deer; surrounded by plum, peach, geometric motifs; rosettes, coins distributed throughout. Next motif towards center shows flower basket on table flanked by phoenixes, plums; surrounded by tendril, tassel motifs. Central motif has flower dish with lotus; surrounded by fruit, floral, bird, tassel motifs. Next is similar to second motif. Last motif at shows vase flanked by birds, fruit, flower petals; surrounded by bird, tendril, peach, butterfly; rosettes throughout. At corner on left triangular design with flower, leaves, tendril, geometric motifs. At corner on right triangular design of stylized flowers, tendril, geometric motifs. Embroidered border along sides and bottom has phoenix and flower design. Extra diamond motif along bottom border. Ends hemmed, selvedge top and bottom.
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. Deer, longevity. Plum; winter, long life. Peach; immorality, marriage. Rosettes, good omens. Coins, prosperity. Flower basket; beauty, peace, harmony. Phoenix; longevity, woman. Lotus; summer, fruitfulness. Peach, immortality. Butterfly; joy, marital fidelity.
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
- Edz1268
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, embroidered, dyed and stitched
- Overall
- height 38.0 cm, width 205.2 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
- 0567/0043