Carrier Item Number: Edz938 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Red twill cotton carrier with floral print in pink yellow, white and green. The carrier is square with long straps attached at each corner. The square has a centre panel of multicoloured appliqué work in pattern of concentric hexagons with eight pointed star in centre. Two straps also have panels of long multicoloured appliqué work. The back is lined with pink cotton.

History Of Use

Used by women to hold a baby or young child on their backs, especially while working. Women who live on boats carry babies in this way for safety and convenience. Also used by Kwangtung farm people, as women there work in fields. Presented to a woman by her mother upon birth of a baby. In use, baby is tied to mother's back by means of two straps passing over her shoulders and under her arms, knotted across her chest (collector).

Iconographic Meaning

Red is commonly used with infants as a symbol of happiness and good fortune, and perhaps also to protect the child for evil supernatural influences.

Cultural Context

used by women in everyday life

Narrative

Similar carriers are used by agricultural people in Tungkuan County. Hoklo boat dwellers in Tai Po commonly use such elaborately made carriers, sometimes appliqued in scroll pattern. Applique work is typical of Holko boat dwellers.

Item History

What

Name
Carrier
Identification Number
Edz938
Type of Item
carrier
Material
cotton fibre and dye
Manufacturing Technique
machine woven, machine stitched and cut
Overall
height 40.0 cm, width 39.0 cm

Who

Culture
Hoklo
Previous Owner
Elizabeth L. Johnson
Received from
Elizabeth L. Johnson (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Tai Po, Hong Kong, China

When

Creation Date
before 1976
Collection Date
during 1976
Ownership Date
before September 2, 1976
Acquisition Date
on September 2, 1976

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
0328/0036