Cover Item Number: Edz1311 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Plain white cloth with blue embroidery. Pale blue bias binding at each end. Inner dark grey braid. Centre motif shows three landforms, two at opposite bottom corners with stylized crosses and flowers, and one near left bottom corner with heavy four petal design. Cat on landform at bottom right corner, bird and thistle flower at opposite. Flowering fruit tree branches fill out rest of motif, with parrot perched near center.

History Of Use

Blue and white embroideries are part of an ancient 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

Parrot and peony; spring, feminine beauty. Cat; dispels evil spirits, protects silkworms. Pomegranate; offspring, posterity. Star; mystic symbol.

Cultural Context

utilitarian;household

Item History

What

Name
Cover
Identification Number
Edz1311
Type of Item
cover
Material
cotton fibre and indigo dye
Manufacturing Technique
woven, dyed, stitched and embroidered
Overall
height 35.5 cm, width 69.0 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
0567/0086