Seat Cover Item Number: 1370/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A flat, embroidered seat cover. It appears to be shaped to fit a large bicycle seat. It is constructed from blue cotton textile (that has faded to a blue gray colour on the front side of the object), which is profusely embroidered in chain stitch with bright orange and mustard yellow silk or rayon floss, using a meandering pattern, along with paisley motifs and designs that perhaps represent peacocks. A small hooked sun disc motif, enclosed in a circle, appears in the centre, and along the perimeter of the design field are several small discs made from yellow, green and white glass beads. Some gold metallic braid is incorporated into the design. The embroidered textile is edged with a dense fringe made from twisted dark red fibre (faded) and white glass beads, and a ruffle made from dark green synthetic knitted textile. The embroidery is backed with red cotton textile.
History Of Use
Part of a strap made from red cotton textile, located on the back of the seat, was probably used for attaching the cover to the bicycle seat.
Specific Techniques
chain stitch
Iconographic Meaning
The sun disc in the centre could indicate that the maker wanted to incorporate an element from the natural environment that represents life-giving forces. Meandering lines of the designs are thought to entangle evil spirits and protect the user from harm. Beaded discs are emblems of good fortune. The embroidered designs are typical of Pashtun style.
Item History
- Made in Afghanistan ? or Pakistan ?
- Collected in Afghanistan during 1981
- Owned by Alan Davidson before August 29, 1989
- Received from Alan Davidson (Donor) on August 29, 1989
What
- Name
- Seat Cover
- Identification Number
- 1370/3
- Type of Item
- cover
- Material
- synthetic fibre, glass, metal, dye, cotton fibre, silk fibre ? and rayon fibre ?
- Manufacturing Technique
- embroidered and sewn
- Overall
- height 57.5 cm, width 48.0 cm, depth 1.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- Pashtun
- Previous Owner
- Alan Davidson
- Received from
- Alan Davidson (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Afghanistan ? or Pakistan ?
- Collected in
- Afghanistan
When
- Collection Date
- during 1981
- Ownership Date
- before August 29, 1989
- Acquisition Date
- on August 29, 1989
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1370/0003