Textile Item Number: Edz1327 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Grey-white cloth with dark blue embroidery. Medallion has square at centre with peach blossom inside. Four lions surround square, their bodies covered with flower diaper pattern. Lions alternate with sprig and four peach blossoms. Triangular design in each corner has swastika, shou and meander bow pattern; diagonally opposing corners are identical. Selvage and raw ends.

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

Shou; long life. Swastika; supreme good luck. Peach blossom; charm against evil. Lion; power, energy.

Item History

What

Name
Textile
Identification Number
Edz1327
Type of Item
textile
Material
indigo dye and cotton fibre
Manufacturing Technique
woven, dyed, stitched and embroidered
Overall
height 47.0 cm, width 49.0 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
0567/0102