Valance Item Number: Edz1298 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Plain white valance with blue embroidery. Stylized border with alternating butterfly and flower motifs connected by a vine. Five major motifs separated by smaller motifs of a bowl of flowers and a bud at each end. Centre motif: medallion with stylized peach tree, flowers, pine needles. Medallions at left and right of centre: bird, pomegranate, pine tree and needles. Medallions at far left and right: flowered vase holding lotus branches with three peacocks; surrounding figures: two men with plumed hats, two rats. Flowers surround all. Hemmed all three sides with embroidered zig-zag motif.
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.
Cultural Context
utilitarian;household
Iconographic Meaning
Plumes; official rank. Rat; north in the zodiac compass. Pine tree; longevity. Pomegranate; offspring, posterity. Peach; marriage, spring, immortality. Peacock; beauty, dignity.
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
- Edz1298
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, dyed, stitched and embroidered
- Overall
- height 34.0 cm, width 196.6 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
- good
- Accession Number
- 0567/0073