Valance Item Number: Edz1277 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Blue-black valance with white design. Bias band in lighter shade with one pleat on sides and lower edges. Five medallions with floral motifs, separated by six butterflies and six flower sprays. Centre medallion: lotus flower, worm, cranes. Left outer medallion: building beside lake and mountain, clouds overhead, dish of flowers and spray of lotus. Right outer medallion: lotus spray, small building, stylized landform. Left inner medallion: building, flower spray, crane, insect. Right inner medallion: peach blossom, butterfly, dish of flowers, stylized clouds, landforms. Each butterfly differs, as does each floral spray separating medallions. At left of centre medallion, dish on stand, worms on leaves . At right of centre, vase with ribbons, large insect. Thread remnants in upper selvage.
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
Butterfly; joy, conjugal felicity. Lotus flower, creative power. Lotus pod; offspring, fruitfulness. Crane, longevity, bird of the immortals. Dish of flowers; beauty, harmony. Clouds; beneficial rain, fertility of the land.
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
- Edz1277
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, embroidered, dyed and stitched
- Overall
- height 42.4 cm, width 220.0 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
- 0567/0052