Ceremonial Panel Item Number: 1559/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular embroidered and appliquéd textile panel, decorated with mirrors and edged with closely-spaced cowrie shells on three sides; the top edge is has a fibre loop attachment at the left corner. The design in the centre of the panel consists of two square motifs, embellished with rows of mirrors on a red and dark yellow background. A border design of embroidered and appliquéd bands and mirrors surrounds the central motifs. There are three 'tassels' made of clusters of bell-shaped pompoms of fine cotton thread and suspended from twisted fibre cords, evenly spaced on the 'bottom' edge; the tassels are trimmed with cowrie shells and metal beads.
History Of Use
Panels like this one have many uses, e.g. wedding-pot cover ritual table cover, etc. The presence of a loop at one corner suggests that this panel had a specific use. A ceremonial panel is sometimes called a dhavalo cloth, with reference to the dhavalo songs, prayers, and cows of mourning traditionally undertaken by a new bride.
Cultural Context
Used at ceremonial occasions, i.e. weddings, funerals, etc.
Iconographic Meaning
The use of cowrie shells (a form of wealth) as decoration is an indicator of the the panel's importance as a ritual object.
Narrative
Purchased on the street in Gujarat.
Item History
- Made in Gujarat, India between 1900 and 1950
- Owned by Beverly Israel and Milton Israel before November 16, 1992
- Received from Beverly Israel (Donor) and Milton Israel (Donor) on November 16, 1992
What
- Name
- Ceremonial Panel
- Identification Number
- 1559/2
- Type of Item
- panel
- Material
- cotton fibre, glass, cowrie shell, lead metal ?, silk fibre ?, silver alloy metal ? and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- embroidered, appliqued and sewn
- Overall
- height 50.5 cm, width 32.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Banjara
- Previous Owner
- Beverly Israel and Milton Israel
- Received from
- Beverly Israel (Donor) and Milton Israel (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Gujarat, India
When
- Creation Date
- between 1900 and 1950
- Ownership Date
- before November 16, 1992
- Acquisition Date
- on November 16, 1992
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1559/0002