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Cultural Context

utilitarian;household

Iconographic Meaning

Flower basket; beauty, harmony. Vase; peace. Persimmon; joy. Citron; wealth. Peach; marriage, long life. Pomegranate; offspring, prosperity. Butterfly; joy, conjugal felicity. Phoenix; beauty, goodness, female element. Unicorn; good omen, with boy or man riding it and carrying an umbrella, has or will have high rank. Umbrella; respect, purity. Pair of fish; marriage, charm against evil. Lozenge and coin; victory, wealth. Willow tree; meekness.

Description

Blue embroidery on white cotton. Five major motifs of flower and fruit baskets separated by smaller motifs. All baskets have key design in handles and bases; tassels at each end of base. In upper corners phoenixes joined at beaks, hold tassels. Phoenix designs in lower corners. Two birds holding tassel at each upper corner. Between baskets along bottom and symmetrical from center: small boats with two figures, two boys riding a unicorn and holding an umbrella. Two insects on either side of centre basket. Centre basket flanked above by four small crabs; two stylized butterflies, fish and tassels. Near upper edge small design of scrolls, coins, lozenge and sword. Border on three sides has repeating design of buildings, willow tree, flowers, small figure. Selvedge edges; hemmed ends.

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.