Valance Item Number: Edz1240 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Unhemmed panel with 5 round scenes of wealthy home and countryside. Separated by floral and animal and insect motifs. Bordered on 3 sides continues themes. Centre medallion; human figure is seated in a pagoda; 2 humans standing with a bird above in tree; all set in floral motif. Left outer medallion; 2 human figures standing on a bridge, a boat with human and a bird and fish below bridge. Right outer medallion; 2 human figures, 5 small birds, 1 larger bird, 1 lion and many floral motifs. The left inner medallion; pagoda, 3 humans, horse, table, butterfly, and floral motifs. Right inner medallion; 3 human figures, 2 in a pagoda, and 1 on the back of a phoenix. Above the 2 figures, in the pagoda is a butterfly. Border has bridges, floral motifs, pagodas, a lion, butterflies, insects, birds, fish, 8 standing human figures, 1 human in a boat, a rabbit and a monkey.
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
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
- Edz1240
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- indigo dye and cotton fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, stitched, dyed and embroidered
- Overall
- height 36.5 cm, width 178.0 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
- 0567/0015