Valance Item Number: Edz1272 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular, brocade valance of cream fabric and dark blue design. There are five images of containers filled with fruit, flowers and leaves on a stand plus. The central group are flanked by bamboo tubes, animals, butterfly; others separated by butterflies and beetles. Central pot with overall plum blossom design holding peach, magnolia blossoms and leaves; sits on stand with curved legs. Books (?) with tassel are behind inner left vase on a stand, which holds persimmons, prune blossoms and leaves. Lute and flute behind outer left vase, holds peaches, lotus flowers and leaves. Sacred symbols (short sword with ribbons?) behind inner vase on right, has overall pattern; stand holds prune blossoms. On outer right, decorated archaic three-legged vessel on stand holds citron with swastika, cherry blossoms and leaves. Long sides, selvage; short sides raw.
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. Plum blossom; winter, longevity. Peach; marriage, immortality, spring. Persimmon, joy. Books with tassel, learning. Prunes, winter. Lotus, children. Lute and flute; marital bliss, harmony. Cherry, feminine beauty. Citron, wealth. Butterfly; joy. Bamboo tubes, longevity. Beetle, courage. Pearl, pure intention. Swastika, supreme good luck.
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
- Edz1272
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, embroidered, dyed and stitched
- Overall
- height 39.4 cm, width 183.4 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
- 0567/0047