Ornament Item Number: Edz977 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A pair (parts a-b) of gold isosceles triangles with scalloped edges. Each is glued on a bamboo stick which is bound by a piece of wire which projects, 5.4 cm. (a) or 4.3 cm. (b), beyond the base of the triangle, perpendicular to it. Raised from the surface of each triangle by means of three paper cylinders, there is a smaller foil triangle printed with a multi-coloured design of a butterfly and other shapes. Wired to this is a tuft of red fibres.
History Of Use
These are affixed to the upper corners of ancestral tablets and household and public shrines at new year, and remain throughout the year. Those from the previous year are removed at this time. They signify that the tablet or shrine is worshipped and tended.
Cultural Context
New Year; festival
Iconographic Meaning
Red represents happiness and good fortune and may exert a protective influence.
Item History
- Made in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China before 1976
- Collected between 1967 and 1976
- Owned by Graham E. Johnson before March 9, 1977
- Received from Graham E. Johnson (Donor) on March 9, 1977
What
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Graham E. Johnson
- Received from
- Graham E. Johnson (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1976
- Collection Date
- between 1967 and 1976
- Ownership Date
- before March 9, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on March 9, 1977
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0366/0004