Mat Item Number: Ef128 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular woven mat of madur grass and string. The mat has a large border around all sides in purple and green on a natural-coloured ground. The border has many motifs within squares, including a peacock, elephant, butterfly, temple, fighting men, water carrier, man with umbrella, and horse. The centre is without design. Long weaving threads are tied off at one end.
History Of Use
Used for eating on, sleeping on and entertaining on.
Cultural Context
floor covering
Iconographic Meaning
Peacock represents good-luck, the monsoons, vehicle of Krishna and Kartikeya (2nd son of Shiva). The elephant represents good-luck, wisdom, vehicle of Indra. The butterfly, temple, fighting men, water carrier, and man with umbrella. The horse represents good luck and vehicle of gods and kings.
Item History
- Made in Krishnapur, West Bengal, India before 1975
- Collected during 1975
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
- Name
- Mat
- Identification Number
- Ef128
- Type of Item
- mat
- Material
- madur grass, cotton fibre and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- cut, dyed and woven
- Overall
- height 178.0 cm, width 112.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Indian: Northern Indian and Indian: Central Indian
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Krishnapur, West Bengal, India
When
- Creation Date
- before 1975
- Collection Date
- during 1975
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles; basketry
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0411/0081