Valance Item Number: Edz1280 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Blue embroidery on blue cloth. Variety of motifs in a sampler fashion. Upper central motif: mountains, duck, two monkeys, lotus, fish, pine trees. Lower centre: two fish and lotus. At left of centre: vase on pedestal with flowers and a butterfly. At right of centre: vase with flower, leaves, bird. At upper right: dragon with three swastikas on body; man holding banner. Lower right: two pagodas, pine tree; boy riding a cock; birds; scroll; duck. Small motifs on left: birds; man on a swayback horse; pagoda, pine tree; cock with swastika on body under willow tree; lotus; two phoenixes joined at beaks; deer, pine tree. Sides, selvage; ends, raw. Cloth dark blue bordering all three sides.
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
Mountains, place of worship. Monkey bestows; health, wealth, protection. Duck, conjugal fidelity. Pair of fish; marriage, fertility. Vase, perpetual harmony. Dragon, power. Cock, courage. Pine tree and deer, longevity. Phoenix; female element, goodness, abundance.
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
- Edz1280
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, dyed, stitched and embroidered
- Overall
- height 33.0 cm, width 167.0 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
- 0567/0055