Jacket Item Number: Edz1317 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Light red jacket with indigo embroidery. The jacket has rounded neck, long wide sleeves, side slits and centre opening with no closures. On the centre front and back are large medallions with vase and floral motifs. On the front, back and sleeves are scattered floral and butterfly motifs. Around the sleeve cuffs is a geometric and floral motif border. The neck, side seam slits and front edges have wide inside facings with several joins. The rest of the inside is unlined.

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.

Cultural Context

utilitarian;household

Iconographic Meaning

Flower vases; maintenance of peace. Butterfly; joy, conjugal felicity.

Item History

What

Name
Jacket
Identification Number
Edz1317
Type of Item
jacket
Material
cotton fibre and indigo dye
Manufacturing Technique
woven, dyed, stitched and embroidered
Overall
height 40.5 cm, width 75.5 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
0567/0092