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Narrative

These articles were collected in the 1930's. The original owners at that time preferred machine manufactured goods.

Cultural Context

utilitarian; household

Description

Cushion cover. Plain cloth with blue embroidery of scene of four people playing a game, on a cross within a square. Ends of cross have diamond shaped design that protrude past the boundary of rhe square. Person and animal are in each corner of square. Small Chinese domino pieces fill each arm of the cross. Eight lions(?) and scroll motif encircle square and cross. At each corner are the same stylized motif as on ends of center cross. Under this are three lines bordering two sides. The outside edge of cloth is hemmed with embroidery.

History Of Use

Part of an ancient domestic tradition. Designs vary geographically but are constant within generations of families, except for minor individual variations. They are family made, by women, and family owned. Blue on white embroidered textiles were traditionally made until the end of the 19th century by rural and village women of the western provinces, especially in rich agricultural communities of Szechwan, Shensi, and Yunnan. Patterns consist of varied arrangements of classical and folkloric symbols. Square linen or cotton pieces were woven on wooden looms 30.5 to 63.5 cm wide.

Iconographic Meaning

“Cosmic Game” motif. The rectangles in front of the four players- with the X’s, lines and dots- are Chinese domino cards.