Valance Item Number: Edz1257 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Plain cloth with blue cross-stitch and single stitch embroidery. Five medallions, centre depicts male on horseback, surrounded by flowers and butterfly. Medallion to viewer's right has cross in center surrounded by four butterflies and various flora and fauna around. Medallion at end has decorative square in center surrounded by four potted flowers and four deer(?) To viewer's left of center, medallion has insects and flowers. Medallion at end has swastika in a square surrounded by four large flowers and decorative elements. Potted flowering plants above and below center motifs. In bottom left corner, two persons and a mule, opposite corner shows bat(?) with four swastikas. Bordered on all three sides by band of embroiderey, two ends show butterflies and sprigs, bottom has repeating pattern with phoenix. Side borders hemmed.
History Of Use
Blue and white embroideries are part of a long 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
Butterfly, joy, lightness, true love. Swastika, supreme good luck. Phoenix, peace and prosperity.
Item History
- Made in Chengdu, Sichuan, China before 1945
- Collected between 1932 and 1945
- Owned by Kathleen F. Spooner before April 25, 1979
- Received from Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) on April 25, 1979
What
- Name
- Valance
- Identification Number
- Edz1257
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, stitched, embroidered and dyed
- Overall
- height 36.0 cm, width 185.0 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
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0567/0032