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Cultural Context

utilitarian;household

Iconographic Meaning

Lotus; creative power, purity.

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.

Description

White clothing fragment with black embroidery. The fragment is rectangular with one cut edge, one hemmed edge and two sides sewn closed. The embroidery is arranged in several bands, covering half the fragment. The first band has sequences of lotus flowers with projecting leaves growing from triangle, flanked by smaller flowers separated by trifurcated pondweed stem. The second band has two solid lines, rinceau edging, lotus motifs. The third band is wider than others with a lotus diaper pattern. The fourth band has geometric flower rinceau, curved flower and leaf rinceau. The inside is unlined.