Calligraphy Item Number: Edz980 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Pair of elongated rectangular papers, right side is orange with irregular gold flecks. Strip 3 cm. wide is left white on one end. Each has 7 black Chinese characters written vertically, each approximately 10 cm. long, written with brush in black ink. Reverse writting in pencil may indicate meaning of characters, part (a), "family filial piety"; part (b), 'heaven and earth creat??e most precious book of poems".
History Of Use
Papers such as these are pasted at either side of the main house door at new year, with inscriptions appropriate to the desires of household members. They represent a general wish for good fortune in the household.
Iconographic Meaning
Characters in a read 'within the family filial piety'; in b read 'heaven and earth create a precious book of poems'.
Cultural Context
New Year; household
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
- Name
- Calligraphy
- Identification Number
- Edz980 a-b
- Type of Item
- calligraphy
- Manufacturing Technique
- machine made ?, rubbed and written
- Overall
- height 98.2 cm, width 16.0 cm
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
- Item Classes
- works on paper
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0366/0007